UTAG continues strike as member branches oppose NLC directive

All fifteen branches of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) across the country are resolute and relentless to continue the indefinite industrial strike action after having expressed solidarity for the strike declared by the National Executive Committee (NEC) on Monday, January 10.

After a meeting with the National Labour Commission (NLC) and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), with representatives of the ministries of Employment and Labour Relations, Finance and Education in attendance on Thursday, January 13, UTAG’s action was declared illegal.

The Commission asked the Association to return to the lecture halls before negotiations could continue, as it is against its regulations for the arbitration process to take place while the strike remains.

However, after giving the mandate to its branches to decide the way forward, it appears not a single one favours the NLC directive.

In a press release jointly released by UTAG members on Wednesday, January 19, they stated: “Following the ruling by the National Labour Commission (NLC) on January, 13, 2022 against UTAG members in respect of the processes leading to the partial withdrawing of one (1) of three (3) core mandates, teaching and related activities, as illegal, the NEC of UTAG informed the general membership of UTAG about the directive of the NLC”.

“Consequently, the fifteen (15) member branches have held independent emergency meetings to that effect and the general membership expressed their dissatisfaction with the directive and were of contrary view,” part of the statement issued by UTAG’s National Secretary Dr Asare Asante-Annor read.

UTAG’s resolve

The statement added: “Thus, the members have unanimously resolved to continue with the withdrawal of teaching and related services until further notice. Members have consequently been urged to remain calm”.

Among the branches which supported the action include the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), and University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR).

The others are the University of Ghana (UG), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), University of Cape Coast (UCC) and University of Development Studies (UDS).

The rest are CK Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU), SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) and University of Environment Sustainable Development (UESD).

Background

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) on Monday, January 10, 2022 commenced a strike action in all 15 branches across the country and directed its members to withdraw teaching and related activities.

According to UTAG, the strike action is in response to “the worsening Conditions of Service (CoS) of the University Teacher and the failure of the Employer in addressing the plight of UTAG members within the agreed timelines.”