A recent update from the strike action has it that the management of UTAG has agreed to call off strike after meeting with Education Committee of Parliament.
Following a meeting with Parliament’s Education Committee, the Education Minister, and the Labour Minister, the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has agreed to call off its strike which commenced on 10th January, 2022.
The Committee met with UTAG’s leadership, the Education Minister, and the Labour Minister earlier today to try to resolve the impasse between UTAG and the government.
Following the Committee’s request, the University lecturers have decided to call off the strike on the condition that the government resolves the unresolved issues, according to the Akatsi North MP.
In an interview with Joy News’ Kwesi Parker-Wilson, Parliament’s Ranking Member on the Education Committee, Peter Nortsu Kortoe, revealed this.
Why did UTAG Agree to Call Off the Strike?
According to reports, UTAG have decided to call off the strike on the condition that the government meet with them right away to discuss Outstanding issues. The minister assured them that they would be committed.
In the meantime, the Committee has given the Education Minister one week to settle any unresolved issues and report back to the Committee.
When will UTAG, University Lecturers Return to Lecture Halls to Teach?
According to the Legislator, the Committee is hopeful that University lecturers will return to lecture halls by Monday, February 21, 2022.
UTAG Strike Update on Court Case
On Tuesday, February 15th, the Labour Division of the Accra High Court placed an injunction on the current strike by the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG).
The order required UTAG to suspend the strike and return to the negotiating table.
As a result, UTAG is anticipated to call a halt to the strike until the Court rules on the NLC’s substantive application.
Background…
UTAG embarked on the industrial action on 10th January. The NLC then took UTAG to court after deeming the university teachers’ strike to be illegal.
The lecturers were thus told to return to the lecture halls, but they did not, causing the Commission to take legal action.
This follows last year’s strike which is all an attempt to demand better conditions of service from Government.
UTAG Demands
UTAG wants the government to reinstate the 2012 service conditions, which set the monthly salary for entry-level lecturers at $2,084.
The Association claims that the new agreement has decreased the basic rates for its members to $997.84.
