The leadership of three major tertiary education workers unions, the Tertiary Education Workers Union of Ghana (TEWU-GH), the Technical University Administrators Association of Ghana (TUAAG), and the Technical University Workers Association, Ghana (TUWAG) have signalled their irrevocable intention to embark on industrial strike action.
The three unions representing tertiary education workers in the country in a statement signed by its leadership jointly condemned what they perceive as the discriminatory implementation of the newly approved Vehicle Maintenance Allowance (VMA) and other related allowances by the government.
“The decision by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to exclude TEWU-GH, TUAAG and TUWAG members of the implementation of the upward review of the (VMA) is clearly discriminatory and injustice in the working environment in the university campuses”.
Sulemana Abdul-Rahman; TEWU_GH National Chairman, Godwin Kumador; Secretary TUAAG and Ayárik Alateng John ; National President TUWAG
They argued that this exclusion constitutes a clear act of discrimination and injustice within the university working environment, adding that the situation has left their members deeply dissatisfied, particularly given the current economic challenges facing the country.
A fervent Call to Action
The leadership of the Tertiary Education Workers Union of Ghana (TEWU-GH), the Technical University Administrators Association of Ghana (TUAAG), and the Technical University Workers Association, Ghana (TUWAG), in a fervent call to action called on the government to urgently address the issue to avert any unforeseen problems.
They highlighted that the Vehicle Maintenance Allowance and other related allowances in public universities have traditionally been payable to all eligible staff categories,
The statement further emphasized that the allowances have always been uniformly applied across all staff categories with a common effective date, devoid of any discrimination since its inception.
In addition, the leadership of the Tertiary Education Workers Union of Ghana (TEWU-GH), the Technical University Administrators Association of Ghana (TUAAG), and the Technical University Workers Association, Ghana (TUWAG) urged government’s agencies including the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, the National Labour Commission and the Ministry of Finance among others to take immediate steps to swiftly address the legitimate concerns raised.
They warned that failure to resolve the unions’ concerns and issues by June 30, 2024, would compel them to invoke the relevant provisions of the Labour Act and take further action.
The statement was jointly signed by Sulemana Abdul-Rahman, National Chairman of TEWU-GH, Godwin Kumador, Secretary of TUAAG, and Ayárik Alateng John, National President of TUWAG.
They stressed the urgency of the matter, underscoring the potential for significant disruptions in university campuses if their concerns are not addressed promptly.
In an earlier similar call, the Senior Staff Association-Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), the Federation of Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG), and the Teachers and Educational Workers Union of Trade Union Congress (TEWU-TUC) collectively threatened to embark on industrial action if their demands are not met by June 21, 2024.
The three prominent university staff unions in a statement addressed to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), demanded immediate rectification of disparities in the Vehicle Maintenance Allowance (VMA) and other related allowances with immediate effect.
The statement, while recounting the unions’ ardent advocates for the welfare and interests of its members, argued that it is unacceptable for the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to overlook their plight.
The unions’ demand for equal treatment in the implementation of allowances comes at a critical time, as the country grapples with economic difficulties.
The call for an equitable application of the VMA and related allowances reflects the perceived broader concerns about fairness and justice within the country’s public sector.
READ ALSO: Government’s Free SHS Bill Proposal Misses Priority
