The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has called on its members nationwide to withdraw all services effective Monday, 10th January, 2022.
This was contained in a communique issued over the weekend.
UTAG stated, “For the reasons stated above, the NEC of UTAG at its meeting reiterated its resolve to follow through with the decision to withdraw teaching and related activities until further notice with effect from Monday, 10th January 2022 and call on all UTAG members across the fifteen (15) branches to observe this directive.”
The communique was signed by Prof. Solomon Nunoo, National President, Dr. Asare Asante- Annor, National Secretary, Dr. Samuel Nkumbaan, President, UG, Prof. Otchere Addai-Mensah, President KNUST, Dr. Samuel Bert Boadi-Kusi, President, UCC, Dr. Felix Longi Y.T., President, UDS, Dr. Reuben Ayivor-Djanie, President, UHAS, Dr. Richard Fosu Amankwa, President, UPSA, Dr. Kodwo J.A. Boateng, President, GIJ, Dr. Pascal Kpodo, Vice President, UEW, Mr. Samuel Kingsford Segiah, President, GCTU, Dr. Christian Larbi Ayisi, President, UESD, Dr. Joseph K. Wulifan, President, SDDUBIDS and Dr. Stephen Baffuor Adjei, President, AAMUSTED.
UTAG referred to its communique dated 11th November 2021 and 24th December 2021 with reference numbers UTAG/NAT/2021/IM-003 and UTAG/NAT/2021/IM-004, respectively as the basis for its latest decision.
The association noted that at its emergency meetings held on Tuesday and Friday, 4th and 7th January 2022, respectively, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of UTAG discussed the worsening Conditions of Service of the University Teacher and the failure of the Employer in addressing the plight of its members within the agreed timelines.
They recalled that the Interim Market Premium (IMP) which was instituted following the implementation of the Single Spine Pay Policy got frozen, per a Government White Paper, in 2013, for the purpose of conduct of a LMS to determine the Market Premium payable to workers deserving of it.
“To date, this determination has not been made, which has resulted in the erosion of the University Teacher’s salary,” UTAG stated.
They said that they had the hope that by completing and implementing the Labor Market Survey (LMS) Report of 2019, a review of the IMP would have put the University Teacher on a relativity good salary stead.
“Regrettably, the recommendations of the 2019 LMS Report without any accompanying technical report on the implementable Market Premium is meaningless to UTAG as it does not address the pertinent issues of improved Conditions of Service,” UTAG stated.
They noted as interesting, however, that there was a LMS in 2014 whose report did not see light of day and one wonders if the 2019 LMS Report would ever be implemented since it is already two years old.
“In addition, recommendation (iii) from the 2019 LMS Report states that “Public Services Commission should liaise with educational institutions to prioritize the offering of courses in areas of demand to increase the employment prospects of their graduates and increase the pool of applicants for high vacancies”.
“How can such a National Agenda be attained if the Conditions of Service of the University Teacher keeps worsening year on year leading to an ever-increasing attrition rate on our campuses? UTAG members see the timing of the release of the report as one of the usual delay tactics that the Employer has employed over the years, which is unacceptable,” they wondered.
UTAG bemoaned the fact that generally, our members have decried the pittance agreed to be paid as annual research allowance and would want the government to reconsider the payment of a more realistic research allowance as this is critical to their research output, promotion and ultimate national development.
“For the reasons stated above, the NEC of UTAG at its meeting reiterated its resolve to follow through with the decision to withdraw teaching and related activities until further notice with effect from Monday, 10th January 2022 and call on all UTAG members across the fifteen (15) branches to observe this directive.
“As a matter of urgency, we also call on the Employer to restore members to the 2013 IMP of 114% of Basic Salary in the interim whilst government goes ahead to formulate guidelines to implement the appropriate recommendations to address the Conditions of Service of the University Teacher,” UTAG stated.
The association stated that following the uneasiness among UTAG members, any delay by the Employer would further exacerbate the already fragile academic calendar to the detriment of all stakeholders,” the statement concluded.
