The Ministry of Education says it is going to work out modalities in meeting the demands of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG).
According to the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Kwasi Kwarteng, conversations to invite UTAG to begin negotiation have already started.
Speaking on EYEWITNESS NEWS on CITI TV, he said “during negotiation, there will be some level of consensus-building that will demonstrate the government’s commitment to meet UTAG in a position that is comfortable for all parties”.
He also believes that the negotiation between government and UTAG in this regard will yield positive results.
The issue of the enhancement of the conditions of service for members of UTAG has been a long-standing one between government and the Association.
In August 2021, the Association embarked on a similar strike action requesting government to restore the Conditions of Service agreed upon in 2012 which it said was far better than what pertains currently.
The 2012 Conditions of Service pegged the Basic plus Market Premium of a lecturer at $2,084.42.
UTAG has complained that the current arrangement has reduced its members’ Basic Premiums to $997.84.
Following the 2021 strike action, a Memorandum of Agreement signed by government and UTAG, led both parties to agree to the need to get back to the negotiating table from the week beginning Monday, August 23, 2021.
During the period, government and UTAG were among other things, required to negotiate the research component of the Book and Research Allowance, market premium, and non-basic allowance.
Currently, the Association has called off the 7-week strike action until March 4
In a release issued Monday, February 21, and signed by the National President, Prof. Solomon Nunoo, and the National Secretary, Dr. Asare Asante-Annor, it said the National Executive Committee has resolved that “UTAG should heed to the advice of the eminent leaders, the Select Committee on Education and the court ruling to suspend our strike action up to 4th March 2022 to engage with government”.
Addressing the media in Accra on Tuesday, February 22 to officially announce the decision of the National Executive Council, NEC, to temporarily suspend the strike, Professor Nunoo cautioned that UTAG will have no option but to go on strike again if the government fails to honour its commitments.
Source: ATLFMNEWS
