By Josephine Akari.
The Teachers and Educational Workers Union, TEWU of TUC, has given the government up till September 7, 2021, to address the Conditions of Service of Non-Teaching Unionized staff of Public Universities.
The group says they will embark on a series of actions if the government fails to address their grievances. Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 General Secretary of TEWU, Mark Dankyira-Korankye said though on a number of occasions, the Union had demanded an increase in the non-basic and exposure to eminent hazard allowances, from 8% to 18%, government is adamant and wants to maintain the allowances at 8 %.
Mr. Dankyira-Korankye called on the government to respond to their plea to avoid further interruption of the academic calendar.
TEWU embarked on industrial action in January 2021 to demand better service conditions for members at Public Universities. However, during engagement with the National Labour Commission, NLC, the union was directed to go back to work on the 4th of February, 2021, with the guarantee that issues regarding the non-basic and exposure to eminent hazard allowance will be tackled.
General Secretary of TEWU, Mark Denkyira Korankye expressed disappointment by the fact that despite the union’s efforts to pursue constructive engagement with all stakeholders in addressing their concerns, the seemingly unperturbed posture of the government is not healthy for industrial harmony.
He said non-teaching staff of the Universities play a critical role in education by ensuring a conducive environment for teaching and learning hence the need for urgent attention to address the matter.
“Since January 2021, we embarked on industrial action, the national labour Commission invited and charged us to back and re-enter negotiation on the conclusion of our conditions of service, the non-basic allowance and exposure to eminent hazard allowance. After going through a series of meetings, the government team continued to maintain their stands of offering 8%. Initially the problem was the absence of supportive Ministers of State.
Ministers have been sworn in, so we expect that the process will be expedited to enable us to conclude and sign on these conditions of service. We wish to state that if nothing is done by the 7th of September, 2021, we may not be able to contain the anger and agitations of our members.”
Members of the union called on President Akufo-Addo to listen to their plea.
