The National Labour Commission (NLC) has summoned leaders of three tertiary teacher unions to appear before it next week, following their intention to strike on August 8. The Senior Staff Association-Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), Federation of Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG), and Teachers and Educational Workers Union of Trade Union Congress (TEWU-TUC) are demanding payment of Vehicle Maintenance Allowance (VMA) and other related allowances.
The NLC’s Executive Secretary, Ofosu Asamoah, stated that the meeting is necessary because the unions failed to comply with the required notice period for strike action. Asamoah explained that the unions’ intention to strike was announced on August 5, which falls short of the required notice period, and that they should have notified the NLC and their employers instead of the press.
The NLC has directed the unions to suspend their strike intention and appear before it to discuss the issues. Asamoah expressed concern about unfair labour practices by both employers and some labour unions, which he believes contributes to repetitive strikes.
He warned that failure to comply with the NLC’s directive will lead to more strikes, emphasizing the need for the tripartite (government, employers, and unions) to discharge their duties effectively. However, James Banoeng Yakubo, a member of the National Executive Council of the Senior Staff Association of Ghana, stated that they will proceed with the strike despite the NLC’s call to suspend it.
Yakubo claimed that the NLC is aware of the issue and that they have taken steps to resolve it, but the Ministry of Finance has failed to act, leading to the strike intention. The unions argue that they are not interested in embarking on strike but feel compelled to do so due to the government’s failure to address their concerns.
