UTAG suspends strike temporarily to engage govt

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of UTAG in an emergency meeting on the 21st February, 2022 has suspended the ongoing strike action temporary in order to engage government.

The action took place due to considerations on the impact of their industrial action on our students and the appeals from the public, especially parents and respected eminent leaders including former President J. A. Kufour and Sir Sam Jonah, Chancellors of University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa and University of Cape Coast, respectively.

In a statement issued and signed by the National President and Secretary, Prof Solomon Nunoo and Dr Asare Asante-Annan respectively said the lead counsel for UTAG presented critical explanations on the state and impact of the court ruling and therefore members evaluated the entire strike action with the aim of reaping the full benefit of improving the Conditions of Service of its members.

It further stressed that NEC of UTAG also considered the appeal from the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education to suspend our strike action, negotiate and report to them within one (1) week.

The statement noted that at the end of the meeting, NEC of UTAG resolved as follows:

1. That UTAG should heed to the advice of the eminent leaders, the Select Committee on Education and the court ruling to suspend our strike action up to 4th March, 2022 to engage with government.

2. That in line with the Bylaws of UTAG (i.e., Article 5, Sections 1-4), the general membership must be informed for ratification or otherwise of the decision to suspend our strike action.

The statement again wished to inform members that a roadmap for the negotiation between Government and UTAG has been agreed and the Employer has committed to improving the conditions of service of UTAG members.

It said Negotiations would commence in earnest and completed within the agreed period and the outcome communicated to members.

“Following from these, UTAG members are kindly informed of the decision of NEC to temporarily suspend our strike action for the stated period and to engage with government”, the statement said.

Meanwhile, the statement added that the legal processes on the legality or otherwise of our strike action, pending before the Court, would continue to its logical conclusion.

“The NEC of UTAG counts on the support of all members as we work to secure improved Conditions of Service for the University Teacher”, it noted.

Below is the full statement from UTAG

UTAG/NAT/2022/IM-002 21ST FEBRUARY, 2022

DISTRIBUTION: All UTAG Branches

All Media Houses

UPDATES ON UTAG STRIKE ACTION

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of UTAG held an emergency meeting today, 21st February, 2022 at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) to deliberate on the way forward regarding the withdrawal of teaching and related services on the various campuses.

The lead counsel for UTAG presented critical explanations on the state and impact of the court ruling. Following this, members evaluated the entire strike action with the aim of reaping the full benefit of improving the Conditions of Service of its members.

The NEC of UTAG also considered the impact of our industrial action on our students and the appeals from the public, especially parents and respected eminent leaders including former President J. A. Kufour and Sir Sam Jonah, Chancellors of University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa and University of Cape Coast, respectively. The NEC of UTAG also considered the appeal from the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education to suspend our strike action, negotiate and report to them within one (1) week.

At the end of the meeting, NEC of UTAG resolved as follows:

That UTAG should heed to the advice of the eminent leaders, the Select Committee on Education and the court ruling to suspend our strike action up to 4th March, 2022 to engage with government.

That in line with the Bylaws of UTAG (i.e., Article 5, Sections 1-4), the general membership must be informed for ratification or otherwise of the decision to suspend our strike action.

We wish to inform members that:

A roadmap for the negotiation between Government and UTAG has been agreed.

The Employer has committed to improving the conditions of service of UTAG members.

Negotiations will commence in earnest and completed within the agreed period and the outcome communicated to members.

Following from these, UTAG members are kindly informed of the decision of NEC to temporarily suspend our strike action for the stated period and to engage with Government. Meanwhile, the legal processes on the legality or otherwise of our strike action, pending before the Court, will continue to its logical conclusion.

The NEC of UTAG counts on the support of all members as we work to secure improved Conditions of Service for the University Teacher.

Thank you.

Source: africaneditors.com /Eric Nii Sackey