The Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana, TUTAG, has rejected the government’s proposal to pay its members extra allowances instead of migrating them onto the public university single spine salary structure.
Government officials led by the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations reportedly proposed the payment of entertainment and responsibility allowances during an eight-hour-long meeting on Wednesday; but was turned down by the leadership of TUTAG.
A National Executive member of TUTAG, Stanley Nelvis-Glattey, who doubles as the General Secretary for the Ho chapter, told Citi News government’s proposition is totally unacceptable.
“They are pleading that with the responsibility and entertainment allowance, they will give us a figure which is less though. We are saying that even if we will take that, it means that they must migrate everybody without that conundrum of downgrade. We have been converted per the act that established us, we are to be on a certain payroll that is coterminous with the traditional universities; so they should put us there. Must we fight over this?”, he quizzed.
TUTAG whose strike entered week three this week promised that its members will return to their posts if the meeting had produced positive results.
The industrial action follows the Controller and Accountant General’s Department’s failure to pay emoluments due them with effect from 1st August 2019 despite a directive from the Ministry of Finance.
The Association laid down its tools in demand for better conditions of service for Technical University teachers in the country.
They were joined by Technical Universities Administrators Association of Ghana (TUAAG) who are also demanding full benefits of migration onto the public universities salary structure.
TUTAG strike: Academic calendar may be extended – Vice Chancellors hint
The Vice-Chancellors of Technical Universities in Ghana have given strong indications that the academic calendar of technical universities may be extended by three weeks if the ongoing strike by lecturers and administrators is not called off by the end of this week.
The group which has been appealing to the lecturers to go back to their posts says the extension will become necessary given the impact of the impasse on the affected students.
Chairman of the group, Rev. Prof. John F. Eshun, who spoke to Citi News’ Umaru Sanda said; “the students have not been going for lectures for three weeks now and this is having a toll on the students. This is why we are appealing to the lecturers to come back to the lecture theatre while they negotiate with the government. This will affect the academic calendar. It means we have to call an academic board meeting where we will adjust the calendar for three more weeks.”
Source: Citinewsroom.com
