The Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has declared a nationwide strike.
This industrial action arises from the government’s failure to address delays in revising, signing, and implementing new conditions of service for workers under various agencies, including the Ghana Education Service (GES), Ghana Library Authority, Public Technical Universities, and Traditional Universities.
The Chairperson of TEWU-TUC, Madam Salamatu Mahama Braimah spoke on the union’s stance and expectations during a granted interview.
Background of the Strike
TEWU’s strike follows extended delays in the renegotiation of conditions of service, with some agreements having expired over a decade ago.
This failure has created significant challenges for workers, who continue to operate under outdated terms. The National Chairperson Madam Braimah explained the situation, stating:
“In the case of the technical advisers and the public universities, the conditions of service expired [in] 2008. And we’ve not been able to review [it]. So, we’ve been operating on expired conditions of service. In the case of the Ghana Education Service, it has been expired for the past two years.”
Salamatu Mahama Braimah the National Chairperson of TEWU
She further emphasized the pressure union leaders face from members;
“Our members feel leadership is not doing anything. Meanwhile, we have written a series of letters to our various managements and [to] Fair Wages as well.”
Salamatu Mahama Braimah the National Chairperson of TEWU-TUC
TEWU’s Position on the NLCS’S Notice
Meanwhile, the National Labour Commission (NLC) issued a notice urging TEWU to suspend its strike and engage with stakeholders on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.
However, she clarified that while the union had seen the NLC’s letter, immediate suspension of the strike was not feasible. She explained the process involved;
“In matters like this, you go through a process before you declare. And so, we need to go through the same process to suspend.”
Salamatu Mahama Braimah the National Chairperson of TEWU-TUC
Madam Braimah reiterated that stakeholder consultations are essential before any decision to suspend the strike is made.
When asked whether the strike would continue until the scheduled meeting, she noted the uncertainty, adding;
“Currently, as we speak, TEWU is on strike. And it is difficult to call off the strike now because we need to meet with stakeholders before we can actually suspend it.”
Salamatu Mahama Braimah the National Chairperson of TEWU-TUC
Demands of TEWU
According to Madam Braimah, the ongoing strike action would ensure that workers are no longer subjected to outdated and inequitable terms, she emphasized.
“What we are expecting is that the NLC will instruct fair wages and our management to get the mandate from the government and sit with us. Because we can’t continue to work with expired conditions of service.”
Salamatu Mahama Braimah the National Chairperson of TEWU-TUC
The union is also seeking prompt action to conclude negotiations and implement new agreements.
“For us, what we want is for them to invite us to the negotiation table. And once that is done, and then we finish and we find our conditions of service, then we are good to go.”
Salamatu Mahama Braimah the National Chairperson of TEWU-TUC
Current Status of the Strike
As of November 18, 2024, TEWU members across various agencies remained on strike. The union issued a press release before the NLC’s notice, setting November 18 as the deadline for action from stakeholders. Madam Braimah explained the sequence of events leading up to the strike:
“We received the NLC letter yesterday. Maybe they delivered it on Friday when my general secretary was not in office. And Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were weekends. So, we don’t work on weekends. We saw the letter this morning.
Salamatu Mahama Braimah the National Chairperson of TEWU-TUC
”It is difficult to call off the strike now. Because we need to meet with stakeholders before we can actually suspend a strike.”
Salamatu Mahama Braimah the National Chairperson of TEWU-TUC
Despite the strike, TEWU remained open to dialogue. Madam Braimah noted that a resolution could be reached if all parties engage meaningfully.
“Strike is always our last resort. We don’t take pleasure in embarking on strike, but it is normally when we don’t get the attention of governments that is where we resort to strike actions.”
Salamatu Mahama Braimah the National Chairperson of TEWU-TUC
Impact and Outlook
The outcome of Wednesday’s meeting with the NLC will be critical in determining the way forward. While TEWU has expressed willingness to suspend the strike if meaningful negotiations commence, it is clear that the union will not compromise on its core demand for revised conditions of service.
The TEWU strike underscores the urgency of addressing longstanding grievances in Ghana’s education sector.
As the union and government prepare to meet, stakeholders must prioritize resolving this impasse to restore normalcy and enhance workers’ welfare.
The outcome of the discussions will be closely monitored, as it will have far-reaching implications for education and labor relations in the country.
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