The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has announced that its members would be going on strike from Monday, 10th January 2022.
With this effect, all members of UTAG Nationwide will be withdrawing their services for the time being.
According to the management of UTAG, the strike is announced as a result of government’s failure to address the poor condition experienced and complained by the lecturers. These conditions of service have been seen to worsen with time.
In a communique dated January 8, 2022, The University Eachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) made their decision known to the public.
In the communique, they explained that government has flouted the agreed timelines to address their concerns.
They added that the strike announced to begin on Monday, 10th January 2022. UTAG “reiterated its resolve to follow through with the decision to withdraw teaching and related activities until further notice.”
“Generally, our members have decried the pittance agreed to be paid as annual research allowance and would want to have government reconsider the payment of a more realistic research allowance as this is critical to our research output, promotion and ultimately national development,” a portion of the communique read
Learn More from the full Communique Below;
Background
In August 2021, UTAG first went on strike which lasted for many weeks. They demanded that the government reinstate the service conditions agreed upon in 2012, which they claimed were significantly superior to those in place now.
Following the strike, the government and UTAG signed a Memorandum of Agreement that both parties agree that there is a need to return to the bargaining table Monday, August 23rd, 2021.
During this time of bargaining, the government and UTAG will discuss a lot to help the wellbeing of the lecturers. Things like the Book and Research Allowance, the market premium, and the non-basic allowance, among other things will be discussed.
UTAG, on the other hand, claims that their concerns have not been handled as agreed upon timescales in previous conversations for months.
Prof. Ransford Gyampo, Secretary of the University of Ghana chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UG UTAG), has stated that unless their working conditions improve, they will not hesitate to leave their services.
“Following the uneasiness among UTAG members, any delay by the Employer would further exacerbate
the already fragile academic calendar to the detriment of all stakeholders,” UTAG added.
