Thursday, 28 March

UTAG to resume strike by Friday over conditions of service

Education
UTAG suspended the strike weeks ago to allow negotiations to take place

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has served notice that it will resume its strike by Friday, 8 October 2021, if the negotiation stalemate persists.

“Following the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement with the Employer to complete the negotiations on the Conditions of Service of University Teachers within one (1) month by resolving all outstanding issues, which formed the basis for suspending the strike, it is sad to report that the one-month moratorium has elapsed and the negotiation has almost reached a stalemate”, UTAG said in a statement.

The group noted: “Unfortunately, within the one-month moratorium, the Employer never shifted its position even though UTAG made a number of concessions.”

“For this reason, the National Executive Committee of UTAG at its meeting held on October 1, 2021, resolved that if the Employer’s position remains unchanged by Friday, 8th of October 2021, members should resume the suspension of teaching and related activities until further notice.”

In mid-September, Prof Ransford Gyampo, Secretary to UTAG, reminded President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice-president Mahamudu Bawumia that the one-month negotiation window opened between the group and the government – for which the union suspended its strike a few weeks ago – was about ending but nothing had been done about their issues because Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has not been personally involved in the matter.

In an open letter to the president and his deputy, Prof Gyampo said: “I am told much of the issues have to do with your Finance Minister, who is still not attending meetings himself but delegating, probably, because he sees UTAG matters as trivial”.

“He may continue to treat us like rags but when there is mobilisation of the anger of University teachers in a manner that creates a praetorian situation, the bucks would stop with you in dealing with the mess”, Prof Gyampo noted.

Read Prof Gyampo’s full letter below:

Open Letter to the President and Vice-president of the Republic

Your Excellency Nana Akufo Addo, I greet you. Your Excellency Alhaji Dr Bawumia, I greet you, too.

As you may be aware, some of us have deliberately been quiet about what has been happening following UTAG’s decision to temporarily suspend its strike and return to the negotiations table. We believe the stakeholders needed some peace of mind to talk.

I, however, wish to respectfully remind you that the one-month negotiation period expires in five days’ time.

Unfortunately, as of now, nothing concrete has been achieved.

As you may be aware, some of us had to practically beg our members to agree to suspend the strike action for negotiations because we knew that you were both worried about the impasse and were very much resolved to bring finality to the matter.

Unfortunately, I repeat, nothing concrete has been achieved.

I am told much of the issues have to do with your Finance Minister, who is still not attending meetings himself but delegating, probably, because he sees UTAG matters as trivial.

He may continue to treat us like rags but when there is mobilisation of the anger of University teachers in a manner that creates a praetorian situation, the bucks would stop with you in dealing with the mess.

I respectfully urge you to intervene in this matter yourselves.

For, no one can contain the anger of University teachers should they be allowed to strike again, after the expiration of the one-month negotiation period.

A simple survey on the various campuses would give a sense of how bitter and angry they are, for the disrespectful manner in which they have been treated over the years.

Thank you very much, Your Excellencies.

Yaw Gyampo,

A31, Prabiw

PAV Ansah Street

Saltpond

&

Suro Nipa House

Kubease 

Larteh-Akuapim

 

Source: classfmonline.com