The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has made substantial progress in its negotiations with the government regarding the Conditions of Service (CoS) for its members and the Technical University Teachers of Ghana (TUTAG).
In a statement signed by Professor Mamudu A, Akudugu, the National President and Dr Eliasu Mumuni, the National Secretary, the negotiations, initiated in January 2023, have culminated in agreements on various fronts, marking a positive turn in the previously contentious discussions.
Despite the earlier threat of a strike due to the perceived slow negotiation process, the National Executive Council (NEC) has decided to defer any strike action until further notice.
According to the statement, the decision to defer its strike action is grounded in the signing of the agreement on payroll items and the forthcoming meetings on non-monetary and IGF discussions with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.
The statement further indicated that the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, acting as the technical body, played a pivotal role in spearheading the negotiation process in collaboration with the University Teachers Association of Ghana’s negotiation team and the Technical University Teachers of Ghana.
Furthermore, the University Teachers Association of Ghana statement signed by its National President and General Secretary noted that the association proposed a comprehensive Condition of Service, covering three key categories – Payroll items, Non-payroll items, and Non-monetary items which served as the foundation for the negotiations.
The statement stressed that, after thorough deliberations, the University Teachers Association of Ghana has successfully reached an agreement with the government on the payroll items, effective January 1, 2024.
According to the statement, members of the association can expect to see changes reflected in their payslips at the earliest convenience.
Moreover, the University Teachers Association of Ghana urged its Branch Executive to engage with their respective Management on non-payroll/IGF-related items.
According to the statement, the agreed figures from the engagements are now slated to be submitted to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission for further action, indicating progress in addressing non-payroll-related concerns.
UTAG Sets Up A Joint Committee To Facilitate Non-Monetary Items
The statement also stated that a joint committee, comprising representatives from the University Teachers Association of Ghana and the Technical University Teachers of Ghana, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and Vice Chancellors Ghana (VCG), has been established to focus on non-monetary items.
The statement recounted that the committee is set to convene to finalize decisions on critical matters related to non-monetary items and once agreements are reached on the specific outstanding issues, the University Teachers Association of Ghana will formalize the Condition of Service document, effective January 1, 2024, with provisions for renegotiation every two years.
In addition, the National leadership and National Executive Committee of the University Teachers Association of Ghana expressed its gratitude to all members nationwide for their patience and understanding throughout the process.
According to the statement, the University Teachers Association of Ghana acknowledged the resounding support for a strike from all branches but emphasised its commitment to a peaceful resolution.
The University Teachers Association of Ghana also extended its appreciation to the government, particularly the Minister of Education, Honorable Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, and colleagues Honorable Abena Osei Asare, the Deputy Minister of Finance, and Honorable Bright Wireku Brobbey, Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Relations.
The statement noted that their intervention played a crucial role in expediting negotiations on payroll items.
The University Teachers Association of Ghana also extended its appreciations and thanks to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission for its efforts thus far, pledging continued collaboration in good faith to conclude negotiations on outstanding items
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