The National Leaders of striking labour Unions on the campuses of public universities in Ghana have expressed dissatisfaction over having to continue their industrial strike.
According to the unions, the industrial action of all Labour Unions on the campuses of public universities entered its third week yesterday, Monday, 31st October, 2022. They explained that the strike was declared because of government’s “arbitrary variation” of the Conditions of Service of the Labour Unions to their disadvantage without recourse to them.
“We are not happy with our industrial action, but it is our last resort in the face of the brute show of Governmental arbitrariness and insensitivity in handling our plight during these hard times.”
Labour unions
Contained in a statement signed by the leadership of UTAG, TEWU-GH, GAUA and SSA-UoG, it revealed that the country is in a crisis as alluded by President Akufo-Addo during his recent address on the State of the Economy.
However, it indicated that the leadership of the various unions have been magnanimous and demonstrated their willingness, at previous engagements with government, to make some sacrifices given the difficult times in which Ghanaians find ourselves.
“For instance, we are prepared to allow government to stagger the payment or develop a payment plan over a period even if the Employer cannot afford to pay off the entire allowance in one go. But the government has chosen to remain intransigent and adamant. We, therefore, call on all our members to sustain the communication of the language better understood by government.”
Labour unions
Disparities in implementation of adjusted ex-pump rate
The labour unions cited the disparities in the implementation of adjusted ex-pump rate of GHC 10.99 for Vehicle Maintenance and Off-Campus Allowances as a reason for continuing their strike. They stated that the ex-pump rate in contention does not reflect the present economic conditions as the rate for petrol and diesel this morning is GHC13.99 and GHC15.99, respectively, at some of the pumps.
“These issues remain unresolved as the Employer, since 19th October, 2022, has refused to convene meetings to resolve the impasse. The National Leaders of the Labour Unions in the public universities, therefore, wish to reiterate that the ongoing strike action is to continue until further notice.”
Labour unions
The unions highlighted that some services will however run while the strike action continues and they include skeletal Staff at the Finance Directorates to Process Salaries, security, basic Sschool, health services and maintenance services.
Additionally, it stated that heads of Academic Units can visit their offices to perform minor administrative duties once a week, preferably on Mondays, with the aid of a skeletal staff. Nonetheless, it indicated that no meetings, whether virtual or physical, should be convened during the period of the strike action.
“We call on our hardworking members who would be running these services to be assured that we are forcefully championing their interest with every strength at our disposal.”
Labour unions
Describing the two previous hearings at the National Labour Commission with their employer as “unfortunate”, the unions revealed that they have not yielded the needed results as the latter has refused to discuss “terms of payment” as directed by the Commission.
That notwithstanding, the unions expect the Commission to boldly direct the employer to do the needful in abiding by the ruling of the Commission in its next sitting, which is slated for Wednesday, 2nd November, 2022.
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