The Senior Staff Association of Public Universities in Ghana (SSA-UoG) and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff (FUSSAG) have jointly declared an indefinite strike action, citing the government’s failure to release their tier 2 pension and other unresolved concerns related to their conditions of service.
In a press conference held at the University of Ghana, Isaac Donkoh, the National Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Public Universities in Ghana (SSA-UoG) and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff (FUSSAG) outlined the key grievances leading to the decision to strike.
According to Mr Donkor, their primary concern revolves around the government’s failure to release the tier 2 pension to fund managers since February 2023 and are therefore urgently demanding the settlement of all outstanding arrears to their fund managers, including accrued interest at a three per cent rate.
“As leadership, we are forced to declare indefinite strike action. The reason is that the government has failed to release our tier 2 pension to our fund managers since February 2023”.
Isaac Donkor
Furthermore, the Senior Staff Association of Public Universities in Ghana (SSA-UoG) and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff (FUSSAG) requested a recalculation of their accrued interest between the years 2010 and 2016, as agreed upon in discussions held on July 25th, 2022.
The National Chairman for the Senior Staff Association of Public Universities in Ghana (SSA-UoG) and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff (FUSSAG), Mr Donkor during the press conference urged the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to both withdraw their letters addressed to the union dated November 7th and November 20th 2023.
Mr Isaac Donkoh, speaking on behalf of the senior staff, emphasized the gravity of the situation, and cautioned government and other state agencies mandated to address their concerns to act with urgency to avoid the devastating effect their strike action could have on academic and administrative works in the various public universities in the country.
“As leadership, we are forced to declare indefinite strike action. On this note, we are, therefore, directing our rank and file to stay at home until further notice. From today, nobody should go to work until further notice”.
Isaac Donkor
In other similar event the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to undertake a nationwide strike, pointing to the government’s apparent indifference and lack of engagement in crucial negotiations related to their conditions of service.
The standoff, fueled by concerns over base pay and market premiums, has pushed the University Teachers Association of Ghana to a near brink of industrial action.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra, the University Teachers Association of Ghana’s General Secretary, Dr. Eliasu Mumuni, underscored the significance of discussions on base pay as a pivotal concern that could potentially force a reconsideration of their decision.
It is worth to note that the indefinite strike action by the Senior Staff Association of Public Universities in Ghana (SSA-UoG) and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff (FUSSAG) and the looming one by the Universities Teachers Association of Ghana raises concerns about its potential impact on academic activities in public universities across the country.
With administrative staff withdrawing their services and the likely for academic staff to also withdrawn their services, students may face disruptions in lectures, examinations, and other essential services provided by the various public universities in the country.
It is therefore important that as the various unions remains resolute in their stance, the government and all stakeholders including the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations must take immediate steps to address their respective concerns to avert further disruptions in the academic calendar.
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