We’ll call off strike if stakeholders’ meeting yields positive result – TUTAG

The Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), whose strike entered week three this week, says its members will return to their posts if a meeting with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and other stakeholders, scheduled for today, Wednesday, produces positive results.

TUTAG’s industrial action follows the Controller and Accountant General’s Department’s failure to pay emoluments due them with effect from 1st August 2019 despite a directive from the Ministry of Finance.

Speaking to Citi News ahead of today’s meeting, the National President of TUTAG, Dr. Solomon Keelson, said their next action will be heavily dependent on the outcome of today’s meeting.

“Steps are being taken to engage the Commission. Once they are not concluded; I cannot say our [concerns] have been addressed. We have put our needs before the table and the government has also shown some commitment towards them. So the meeting will be interesting. We don’t expect to get everything but once we realize that we can reach a reasonable agreement, why not, [We will call off the strike].”

The meeting was supposed to have come off yesterday, Tuesday but it was rescheduled to Wednesday.

According to the leadership of TUTAG, the invitation by the Commission was on late notice, thus the decision to reschedule the meeting.

TUTAG laid down its tools in demand for better conditions of service for Technical University teachers in the country.

They were joined by Technical Universities Administrators Association of Ghana (TUAAG) who are also demanding full benefits of migration onto the public universities salary structure.

Several groups have appealed to the striking groups to call off their strike as it has left students in the various schools stranded.

The most recent is the plea made by Vice-Chancellors of Technical Universities of Ghana (VCTU-G).

In a statement signed by Rev. Prof. John F. Eshun, Chairman, VCTU-G, the leadership of the group said:

“VCTU-G observed with worry the effect of the strike action on students and the academic calendar of technical universities. VCTU-G, therefore, appeals to the staff associations to resume work while negotiations continue with the government to address the concerns.”

The Vice-Chancellors also urged the government to as a matter of urgency address the stalemate by finding a workable solution to the concerns of the agitated lecturers and administrators.

“VCTU-G also appeals to the government to expedite actions in resolving issues raised by the staff association to ensure that industrial harmony returns to the Technical University campuses.”