The University of Cape Coast (UCC) local of the Senior Staff Association, Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG) has called on its members to completely withdraw their services with immediate effect.
According to the SSA-UoG UCC Local, membership of the association at the University of Cape Coast have had unfair practices meted out to them by the management of the university hence the call for an indefinite sit-down strike.
Chairman of SSA-UoG UCC Local, Sandy Kumi Sinatra explained that since May 2022, the association has tabled their grievances before the UCC management with several reminders on same but have yielded no results.
Their concerns include the Promotion of Senior Staff Ranks, Appointment to Senior Membership, Career Progression, Non-payment of Negotiated Allowances to Senior Staff, and Senior Staff Representation on the University Council among other issues.
He noted that the Minister of Education and other high-profile persons within the education sector as well as the National Labour Commission (NLC) have intervened and directed UCC Management to engage SSA-UoG, UCC Local to duly resolve the issues raised by the association.
However, the only engagement management of the University has undertaken was to request the SSA-UoG, UCC Local to submit proposals for some of the issues contained in a petition to Management and Council.
But he said “Management has NOT ACKNOWLEDGED RECEIPT OF OUR CORRESPONDENCE OR RESPONDED to same since 9th of August 2022. We find this unfortunate act as managerial shenanigans to further aggravate the plight of the senior staff cadre.”
At a media engagement held on the UCC campus on Thursday, April 13, Mr. Sinatra emphasized their disappointment in the UCC governing council and called on government to immediately intervene.
“We further wish to express our utter disappointment in the University of Cape Coast Governing Council for failing to show concern to the issues submitted by the Association. How is it possible for Council to approve new rates for some services being rendered by the University including the UCC Guest House in Accra at Ghs 200 and the same Council then approves a Night Allowance of Ghs 180 for Senior Staff? This ridiculous decision is rather making us aliens in our own house.”
“It is undoubtedly evident enough that UCC Management is overstepping its boundaries as far as the labour laws and Conditions of Service for Senior Staff of Public Universities are concerned. On this basis, we are of the strongest view that the Government should intervene through the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations since such acts by Management are making the Government unpopular among Senior Staff on the UCC campus.”
Meanwhile, secretary of SSA-UoG UCC local, Christopher Aggrey entreated members to strictly comply with the directives of leadership for the common good of all members.
He said the strike is legal and architecture and all members must come on board in support of leadership’s directives.
Find below a copy of the SSA-UoG UCC Local press release
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Source: Aba Aikins Appah/ATLFMNEWS
