NLC directs TEWU to suspend intended strike action, calls for meeting

Nov 16, 2024 - 18:42

Accra, Ghana - Nov 16, 2024 - Ghana's educational sector is facing a potential crisis as the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) threatens to embark on an indefinite strike starting November 18, 2024.

However, the National Labour Commission (NLC) has called a meeting with the Teachers and Educational Workers Union, the Trade Union Congress(TUC) and relevant stakeholders for November 20, 2024, to discuss pressing issues.

The Teacher's Union's frustration stems from the government's delay in addressing their longstanding concerns regarding conditions of service

In its statement issued on Friday, Nov 15, the National Labour Commission urged TEWU to suspend its planned industrial action ahead of the scheduled meeting, hoping for an amicable resolution to the grievances.

This development reflects growing tension over labor conditions in key public institutions, with the union insisting that their concerns be addressed without further delay.

Similar disputes have arisen in the past, with teacher unions like CETAG and TUTAG engaging in strikes over unpaid allowances and service conditions . The Ghana Education Service has responded to such strikes, emphasizing the need for swift resolution to minimize academic disruptions.

In this case, the Labour Commission's intervention aims to prevent disruptions and find a mutually beneficial solution. The commission has advised TEWU to stay the intended strike action and has requested a status report from the Respondent Employer and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission before November 19, 2024.

“In a correspondence dated 12th November 2024 with Ref. No TEWU/NLC/7/23/23 served on the Commission on 14th November 2024 by TEWU and copied among others, the Complainant Union has notified the Commission of its intention to embark on an indefinite strike with effect from Monday 18th November 2024 over claims of ‘prolonged delay in concluding, signing and implementing Conditions of Service for Ghana Education Service (GES), Ghana Museums and Monuments Board and the Public Technical Universities and Public Universities.'”

“While formally acknowledging receipt of the Union’s letter by this response, the Commission wishes to draw the Union’s attention to the requirements of the Law on the service of notice pursuant to Section 159 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651). In the exercise of its powers under Section 139 of Act 651, the parties are to appear as in paragraph 1, above for hearing of the issue(s) in dispute. With this intervention, the Union is hereby advised to stay the intended strike action.”

“Meanwhile, the Respondent Employer and/or its representatives and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) are to furnish the Commission with a status report of the issue(s) in dispute before the close of the working day on Tuesday, 19th November 2024,” parts of the statement read.

Source: Florence Kyei / Lead News Online