The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) is expected to convene a crunch meeting on Friday, February 4, 2022 over its industrial action.

This consideration comes after the Labour Court 1 directed it to consider settling its dispute with the National Labour Commission (NLC) out of court.

Both parties were in court on Thursday, February 3, for the hearing of an application for the enforcement of a directive by the NLC.

After a separate meeting with the parties in his Chamber, Justice Frank Rockson Aboadwe entreated UTAG to take steps to consult its members on the possible suspension of the strike while NLC withdraws the legal case from court.

“The Lead Counsel for UTAG, while accepting the offer, indicated that the national officers and NEC could not take the decision without consulting its members. He, however, reminded the Judge that anytime UTAG showed good faith, the employer reneged on its commitment.”

“In view of the above, the NEC of UTAG will be meeting tomorrow, February 4, 2022 to deliberate and act on the admonition from the Judge. Meanwhile, UTAG awaits the concessions of the employer, vis-à-vis our demands,” a statement dated February 3 said.

The Court has given UTAG and NLC a grace period of one week for the parties to reappear on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 1pm to give an update on what they agree on.

In an earlier interview with the media, Lead Counsel for UTAG, Kwesi Keli-Delataa, noted that should the parties fail to reach a consensus, the Court will have to make a decision after hearing the NLC’s application.

NLC invitation

The National Labour Commission has invited all parties involved in the matter to appear before it on Monday, February 7, 2022 at 11am.

“The invitation is pursuant to the directive by the High Court at the hearing of the matter by the court today, February 3, 2022,” NLC explained in a press statement.

What is UTAG demanding?

The university lecturers want the government to reconsider the payment of its annual research allowance “as this is critical to our research output, promotion and ultimately national development”.

They also want the 2013 Interim Market Premium (IMP) of 114% of Basic Salary restored.

The Association had bemoaned the current salary arrangement which has reduced its members’ basic premiums to $997.84 instead of the 2012 conditions of service which put entry level lecturers on a monthly pay of $2,084.42.