After weeks of negotiations and discussions, the three Labour Unions representing public university workers in Ghana have announced the suspension of their industrial action. The decision comes following fruitful engagements with the Employer and the National Labour Commission to address the impasse.
The strike, which commenced on January 17, 2024, was declared by the Labour Unions – SSA-UoG, FUSSAG, and TEWU – to protest against delayed payment of Tier-2 Pension contributions and unilateral changes to the conditions of service for university staff.
In a meeting held on February 1, 2024, the Employer, represented by the Deputy Minister of Finance, acknowledged the delay in paying Tier-2 Pension contributions and the unilateral changes made to the conditions of service. As a sign of progress, the Employer committed to restoring the overtime allowance and clearing all outstanding Tier-2 Pension arrears.
Following these assurances, an emergency National Executives Council (NEC) meeting was convened on February 7, 2024, at KNUST to assess the situation. The NEC unanimously passed a resolution to suspend the strike and continue engaging with the Government to establish a roadmap for resolving outstanding issues, including the payment of a three percent penalty and the recalculation of accrued interest on Tier-2 Pensions from 2010 to 2016.
Consequently, the Labour Unions have officially announced the suspension of the industrial action, effective immediately. They have urged all local executives to disseminate this directive to their members for compliance.
The Labour Unions expressed gratitude to all stakeholders involved in the negotiations and to their members for their support throughout the process. They reiterated their commitment to securing improved conditions of service for all university workers in Ghana.
With the suspension of the strike, normal activities are expected to resume on university campuses, bringing relief to students, faculty, and staff affected by the disruption.
The Labour Unions concluded their announcement with a rallying call for solidarity among all workers on public university campuses in Ghana, reaffirming their dedication to advocating for the rights and welfare of their members.