The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has charged members to remain out of work despite a court injunction secured by National Labour Commission (NLC).
The Commission had secured the injunction to force the striking university teachers back to work, claiming it was early in the day for that path to be taken when negotiations were ongoing.
But a notice to all members across the 13 public universities in Ghana on Sunday, August 8 charged them to remain resolute as their demands also remain unaddressed.
“Leadership announces that, UTAG members across all the thirteen (13) public universities voted emphatically for the continuation of our action and leadership is obliged to honour your voices and act accordingly,” the notice jointly signed by National President Professor Charles Marfo and National Secretary Dr Eric Abavare said.
UTAG began a nationwide strike action on Sunday, August 2 over their conditions of service.
- UTAG declares strike
Over the period, they held elections to get new executives. University of Ghana’s Professor Ransford Yaw Gyampo, for instance, was elected the Secretary.
‘Battle’
Leadership claimed members have proven unflinching in their support for the decision taken on Saturday, July 31.
“Leadership is very grateful for your unflinching support and wishes to assure you that we are more than determined to pursue your interests, no matter the consequences.
“All that we request from you going forward is your continued support so that, together, we can achieve our purpose of better conditions of service for all members.”
The notice described the ongoing action as a “battle”, which they claimed was “going to be tough and dirty as time progresses”.
“We must therefore stick together and remain positively defiant.”
‘Divide and conquer’
The leadership acknowledged that government could adopt “divide and conquer” tactics against them.
“But we must resist this strongly while constantly reminding ourselves that our conditions of service are paramount.”
By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|3news.com|Ghana
