The Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) has today, January 13, 2021 declared an indefinite nationwide strike in all public universities to demand better conditions of service for their members.
According to TEWU, it is regrettable that for close to two years, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission has not been able to finalize issues on its condition of service, while members continue to work under very difficult situations.
In an earlier statement issued in December 2020 and signed by the General Secretary of Union, Mark Dankyira Korankye, and National Chairman, Ambrose Yao Kwadwodza, the Union said the continuous delay by the Commission was in ‘bad faith’.
It has been in talks with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission since June 2019 on the Review of the Conditions of Service for Unionised Staff of the Public Universities which expired in 2008.
National Secretary of TEWU, Mark Korankye said on Wednesday, “until government sits with us to review the conditions of service in total and to also attend to the needs that we have put across, we are going to lay down our tools, we think that the feet dragging and delays are becoming too much We feel we are not being treated fairly, and we think that government must take us seriously.”
Meanwhile, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission has reiterated that the strike is illegal and added that the Commission is at the verge of securing clearance from the finance ministry to meet the terms and conditions of the Union.
“Even where there is a deadlock, you go first to the National Labour Commission for them first to mediate and give a ruling,” Dr. Edward Kwapong, the Chief Executive Officer of the commission said.
Filed By : Agaatorne Douglas Asaah / awakenewsroom.com