The Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) have suspended their three-week strike while issuing an ultimatum for the payment of outstanding allowances.
The strikes, which began on September 18 for GAUA and September 20 for TEWU, had brought many universities to a standstill due to grievances over unpaid allowances, vehicle maintenance, off-campus allowances, and delayed Tier 2 pension contributions.
Speaking to JoyNews, GAUA‘s National President, Michael Awusu Ansah, confirmed the suspension, stating, “The National Executive Committee (NEC) has today reviewed the development and I have approved the suspension of our strike with effect from Monday. Within three weeks, a technical team should begin work on the concerns reached so that the proper people that have the mandate to decide for the government are at the table so that issues can be addressed and resolutions meet as soon as possible.”
TEWU’s National Chair, Salamatu Braimah, emphasized the urgency of resolving outstanding concerns, stating, “Currently what is outstanding is nine months of our Tier 2 contribution. That is from January 2024 to September 2024. And so we are giving the government until the close of this month. If those monies are not paid to our fund manager to invest, then we shall resume the strike.”
While TEWU and GAUA have temporarily suspended their strikes in hopes of government action, other unions, including the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) and the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), continue their industrial action over various demands.
The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission has pledged to address the grievances of these unions. However, labor experts are urging the government to act swiftly, warning that the ongoing strikes are significantly impacting the education system.