UTAG tells Breakaway Faction: Strike remains until NEC decides

Accra, Ghana -  October 15, 2024 - The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has rejected demands from a breakaway faction, the 'Silent Majority of UTAG', to call off its ongoing strike.

The 'Silent Majority' had given UTAG's national leadership a three-day ultimatum, citing Organised Labour's decision to halt their action following government promises to address illegal mining.

However, UTAG's University of Ghana branch President in a statement insisted that the strike will continue until the National Executive Committee (NEC) decides otherwise.

“It would be fratricidal for us to fight them publicly. We won’t allow our front to be broken by anyone who isn’t part of us. We would engage them to let them understand the reasons why we took exception to the unfortunate behaviours of the TUC and Clossag heads and went on the route of industrial action.”

“We do not want to respond to them publicly but it must be stated categorically that UTAG’s indefinite strike, which could not be overturned by the less than 57 lecturers, remain in force until the NEC of UTAG decides otherwise,” UTAG insisted.

Read below the statement by UTAG

RESPONSE TO THE GROUP CALLING ITSELF SILENT MAJORITY OF UTAG MEMBERS

I have seen an unsigned petition by some 57 people, presented to UTAG National and also delivered at a Press Conference held today. UTAG National would officially respond shortly and in a manner that would clearly set records straight while keeping the sanctity of our front intact.

But my checks show that out of the 57 people, 36 are not University Teachers. Many of the remaining who are Lecturers have also issued public disclaimers (some of which I would share shortly) to the effect that they never consented to being part of anything.

Now, there’s no way 57 people who are not all lecturers can describe themselves as a silent majority of lecturers with the audacity to give an ultimatum to the close to 3000 university professors who voted to strike against illegal mining.

But some of them are our colleagues who clearly didn’t understand the issues. It would be fratricidal for us to fight them publicly. We won’t allow our front to be broken by anyone who isn’t part of us. We would engage them to let them understand the reasons why we took exception to the unfortunate behaviours of the TUC and Clossag heads and went on the route of industrial action.

“We do not want to respond to them publicly but it must be stated categorically that UTAG’s indefinite strike, which could not be overturned by the less than 57 lecturers, remain in force until the NEC of UTAG decides otherwise.

Source: Lead News Online