The leadership of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has expressed concerns over the government’s failure to engage members of UTAG on their decision to embark on a strike.
The National President of UTAG, Prof. Solomon Nunoo explained that the government has not made any commitments to them since it declared a strike.
UTAG’S leadership has planned to meet its members for discussions on the possible resumption of work following a court directive and a meeting with the Education Committee of Parliament.
Prof. Solomon Nunoo told Citi News the lack of engagement has made it difficult to convince its members to return to the lecture halls.
“When it comes to going back to the lecture halls, we came up with a particular request, and not much has been done by our employers. All the same, we need to have a meeting to evaluate the whole process. There was a court injunction, there was a call from the Education Committee and the public, so these are things we need to discuss with our members, but beyond that nothing is on the table from our employers in terms of negotiation.
“All that they have said is that negotiation can commence after the strike has been suspended. They have not said anything. Since there is nothing, it makes the work extremely difficult but all the same, we believe it is important that we bring it to the attention of our members then we see the way forward.”
UTAG has been on strike since January 10 to force the government to restore the conditions of service agreed upon in 2012.
An injunction has however been placed on the strike after an appeal by the National Labour Commission (NLC).
The court has on two occasions ordered both parties to adopt an out-of-court settlement.
UTAG has however not taken a decision to end the strike. The 2012 conditions of service pegged the Basic plus Market Premium of a lecturer at $2,084.42.
UTAG has complained that the current arrangement has reduced its members’ basic premiums to $997.84.
