The Technical University Teachers’ Association of Ghana (TUTAG), will on Monday, June 14, 2021, lay down their tools.
This was announced by the group in a statement issued after they addressed the media on their conditions of service that has expired since 2006.
According to them, the government has failed to address their concerns after several engagements.
TUTAG members have been directed not to engage in both full-time and part-time teaching, invigilating, marking examination scripts and submission of results, and attending meetings of the university.
However, TUTAG says for the “love and sympathy” for students and parents, members will continue with the supervision of students’ project work, research, and community service as lecturers.
“TUTAG continued to demonstrate good faith with the government over the years on these issues, but has now, and unfortunately so, come to realize that government, together with its agencies, is simply unwilling to fulfill its part of the bargain. For this reason, TUTAG is left with no option, than to declare an indefinite partial strike with effect from Monday 14th June 2021”, the statement read in parts.
Other issues raised by the group
1. The Conditions of Service for TUTAG members expired in 2006. We have since been engaging government to get us a new Conditions of Service to no avail.
2. Though the government has agreed in writing that we are to enjoy the same conditions of service comparable to the traditional universities, that is yet to be implemented.
3. TUTAG members are currently made to use a Scheme of Service that is harsh, compared to those existing in analogous institutions, thus slowing down the academic progression of TUTAG members.
4. The 2018/2019 Research arrears due TUTAG members have since not been paid to deserving members despite numerous reminders to the government.
5. Tier-Two pension payment for TUTAG members going on retirement has since not commenced, despite repeated promises by the government.
6. Technical Universities face numerous frustrations in getting accreditation for their academic programmes; thus hindering the academic growth of technical universities.
Striking Universities’ Senior Staff to resume work on June 14
Ghana’s labour front, particularly in the education and health sectors has been hit by industrial actions in recent times.
The National Executive Committee of the striking Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana, for instance, has resolved to resume work on Monday, June 14, after nearly two weeks of their strike.
The association declared an indefinite strike on May 18, 2021, over the failure of the government to pay their members Tier 2 pension contributions.
Members of the association are also asking for the award of market premium and non-basic allowance, as well as the finalization of negotiations of their conditions of service.
This compelled the National Labour Commission and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to meet with them on Wednesday, June 9, to resolve their grievances.
