By Hannah Dadzie.
The Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana have resumed work on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, after their one-week strike. This follows the National Labour Commission’s NLC’s ruling on August 6, 2021, and interventions by stakeholders culminating in a road map that served as a guide to ensure sincerity and fairness in a speedy resolution of all their issues.
GBC’s Hannah Dadzie visited the University of Ghana and the Ghana Institute of Journalism branches and reports that few members were seen on the two campuses with more expected to resume from August 11, 2021.
The Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana declared an indefinite strike effective August 2, 2021, following the failure of the government to resolve issues concerning their conditions of service. Members were asked to resume work August10, 2021, as a result of the National Labour Commission, (NLC’s), ruling and interventions by stakeholders to ensure fair resolution to the impasse.
A visit by GBC News to some University campuses saw few members of the Senior Staff Association at post. The Trustee for the Legon Branch of the Association James Banoeng- Yakubu said most of them are yet to report since the directive came in late.
“It was an indefinite strike so obviously people will travel and since the strike was suspended late, most of them are now adjusting to come to work but I can’t confirm that everyone is at post and I know my people are law abiding and they will heed to the order,” Mr. Banoeng-Yakubu explained.
“We want to use this medium to remind the government that the strike is suspended, but not called off so if they do not fulfil their part of the bargain, we will resume the strike,” Mr. Banoeng-Yakubu stated.
Some of the students were happy that the strike has been suspended because they have outstanding administrative issues to deal with. “We are very happy they have suspended the strike because the level 400 students are about to complete their education, and the strike has affected them. Some of us have outstanding fees and other administrative issues to solve, we can’t do without them,” they said.
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of the Universities of Ghana and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association, Zakaria Mohammed have assured stakeholders in education that members have resumed work following the suspension of their industrial action. He said members are loyal and committed citizens of Ghana who will do the needful.
“We have committed and loyal members and very obedient members and they will do the needful. I’m very sure that they have reported and everybody will be at post,” Mr Zakaria indicated.
Mohammed said major strides have been made with their demand for better conditions of service, adding that a meeting will be convened on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, between the Ministry of Finance, Controller and Accountant General’s Department as well as other relevant stakeholders to determine conclusions on interest of their tier 2 pension. He said by September 8, 2021 conclusions on all outstanding issues would have been made and a comprehensive report made to the National Labour Commission.
“The directives were made that everything will be done in a period of one month and on the 8th of September 2021, we should conclude on outstanding issues and submit a comprehensive report on what transpired to the National Labour Commission,” he noted.
The Association has expressed optimism that negotiations with the government will be fruitful but maintains that if parties to the negotiation drag their feet they will report to National Labour Commission for the necessary action, adding that they might even go back to the strike if need be.
