TUTAG to proceed with strike action despite NLC order

The Technical University Teachers’ Association of Ghana (TUTAG) has indicated that it will proceed with its strike action tomorrow, Monday, June 14, despite an order from the National Labour Commission to suspend the protest.

This was disclosed by President of the Association, Michael Brigandi, Sunday on JoyNews.

TUTAG, Friday, June 11, announced that its members will embark on a partial strike on Monday, June 14.

Consequently, TUTAG members have been tasked to not teach, invigilate, mark examination papers and/or submit results and attend meetings of any of the Technical Universities.

However, in consideration of students, members have been advised to supervise project work, research, and community service.

Subsequently, the National Labour Commission (NLC), instructed the Association to suspend its intended strike and appear before it on Wednesday, June 16, 2021.

This notwithstanding, speaking on JoyNews, Mr Brigandi indicated that the strike action will take place as planned until the outcome of the meeting with the NLC indicates otherwise.

Answering questions posed by Daniel Dadzie, he said the decision is informed by failure of government to meet their demands.

“Having been converted to Technical Universities, we followed up for government to just give us the existing university conditions of service while we go through renegotiation, but government has failed to address this,” he said.

That notwithstanding, he stated that after their meeting with the NLC, a decision will finally be taken, as to whether to call off the strike or continue with it .

“If we meet the Labour Commission and there are documents suggesting that our research arrears which have been pending for far too long, will be paid and other conditions of service will be provided in the shortest possible time, based on that, Congress will decide as to whether the strike will continue or it will be suspended.”

“In fact, calling on a strike or calling off a strike is not as easy as switching on an electricity bulb. It’s a whole process,” he added.

The TUTAG President further noted that claims that Covid-19 has grossly impacted the economy is no justification for denying them their economic rights.

“Government should realise that just as how our colleagues in the other universities are given what is due them, in the face of the pandemic, TUTAG members should be treated same.

Meanwhile, Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, Professor Mohammed Salifu has admonished staff of tertiary institutions in the country not to use industrial actions as their bargaining chip.

He said the Commission is not oblivious of the poor conditions of service which has forced some of them to leave the job.

Professor Mohammed Salifu revealed that the Commission, in order to improve the conditions of service, is working with government to ensure that tutors in tertiary institutions are at par.