Prof. Ransford Gyampo, Secretary of the University of Ghana chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), has warned that if the government’s deal with the association is not satisfactory, his chapter would strike alone.
“We don’t mind going on strike alone if what they have gone to sign is inimical to our interest. The constitution mandates us or gives us the right to reject,” Prof. Gyampo said.
He said that any possible strike will take place at the start of the following semester.
“If they don’t agree on what we are looking for, then we will vacate and resume no more.”
Prof. Gyampo also raised reservations about the negotiation team at UTAG.
“We have made recommendations that the negotiation team itself should be overhauled. People feel that the fact that they hold positions in UTAG simply makes them automatic members of negotiation teams.”
“The negotiation team should be made up of labor experts, economists, finance people; people who understand the game,” Prof. Gyampo said.
Last week Friday, UTAG planned to resume its strike in protest of poor working conditions.
Its members went on strike in August 2021 because they wanted the government to reinstate the service conditions agreed upon in 2012.
This was after a one-month period for resumed negotiations that did not yield any results, according to the union of lecturers.
However, it backed down after reaching a deal with the government just one day before the deadline ended.
The strike threatened the conduct of examinations in schools and risked adversely altering the academic calendar further following the disruptions of the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the 2012 terms of service, a lecturer’s Basic plus Market Premium is $2,084.42, while basic premiums are $997.84.
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