National Security is to take over negotiations with leadership of University Teachers Association as members officially withdraw their services citing unpaid book allowances and unfulfilled payment of premium arrears. UTAG President, Dr Anthony Simmons says a meeting with Fair Wages and Salaries Commission stalled after the Commission surprisingly claimed they did not have the mandate to negotiate with them. Citing section 10 (b) of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) which empowers the Commission to negotiate salaries with workers, Dr Simmons suspects the position taken by the FWSC was a result of ‘instructions from above’. Dr. Simmons reported officials of FWSC as saying the presidency has directed National Security officials to take over negotiation with the teacher association. He says the unfruitful nature of the meeting with FWSC means the teachers are compelled to stick to their promise to go on strike if their grievances are not met by 31 July 2013. He explained that their grievances are disparities in book allowances with Polytechnic teachers and payment of premium arrears. In April this year, UTAG suspended a strike embarked on to press home its demand for 16 months unpaid allowances after government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with them to pay. Fastforward to July, the UTAG also notified the National Labour Commission (NLC), that they will begin a nationwide strike within two weeks over market premium arrears. They have now officially backed this threat by withdrawing teaching services after government’s failure to stick to an agreed time table to pay their arrears. Dr Simmons said the agreement which was signed by two ministers, two Directors of Finance, a Vice-Chancellor and the UTAG President has failed. But deputy Minister of Education, Okudzeto Ablakwa says UTAG should expect their payments to hit their account by Friday this week.