Pre-tertiary Education Labour Unions Declare Nationwide Strike Over Poor Conditions
Three major pre-tertiary education labour unions in Ghana, including GNAT, NAGRAT, and CCT-GH, have commenced a nationwide strike due to unresolved grievances regarding poor conditions of service. The unions cite the government's failure to renegotiate a Collective Agreement, implement a functional Scheme of Service for Teachers, and address issues such as salary blockages and calendar changes as reasons for the industrial action.
Wednesday, March 20, 2024, marks the commencement of a nationwide industrial strike by three pre-tertiary education labour unions in Ghana. The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers Ghana (CCT-GH) have jointly taken this action citing grievances related to poor conditions of service.
The decision was announced during a press conference held at the NAGRAT headquarters in Accra, where the leadership of the unions conveyed their dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) for their failure to address critical issues affecting teachers.
Reverend Isaac Owusu, the President of GNAT, speaking on behalf of the unions, highlighted the government's failure to renegotiate a Collective Agreement, which expired in 2023. This agreement was supposed to address various concerns including allowances for teachers in underserved areas, entertainment allowances, and housing/rent allowances. Despite efforts to draw attention to this matter, negotiations remain stalled.
Furthermore, the unions expressed dismay over the GES's failure to implement a functional Scheme of Service for Teachers, which is essential for addressing the profession's diverse needs. They also demanded the completion of the distribution of laptops to all teachers and urged against arbitrary changes to the school calendar without consultation, which disrupts their operations.
Another issue raised pertained to the blockage of some teachers' salaries by the Office of Special Prosecutor (OSP) without following proper procedures.
In light of these unresolved grievances and the apparent lack of progress in negotiations with relevant authorities, the unions have resolved to embark on a nationwide strike. Reverend Owusu emphasized that this action was taken in solidarity with the members and to compel the government and related bodies to address their concerns promptly.
The strike action is expected to have significant implications for the education sector, potentially disrupting teaching and learning activities across the country until the demands of the unions are met.
What's Your Reaction?
