The National Labour Commission (NLC) has called on the Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) of TUC to suspend their planned indefinite strike action.
The union had announced its intention to strike beginning Monday, November 18, 2024, citing prolonged delays in finalising and implementing Conditions of Service agreements for staff in the Ghana Education Service (GES), Ghana Museums and Monuments Board, Public Technical Universities, and Public Universities.
In a letter dated November 12, 2024, served to the NLC on November 14, 2024, TEWU outlined its grievances, expressing frustration over the stalled negotiations.
However, the NLC has summoned both TEWU and the relevant stakeholders to a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 20, 2024, to resolve the matter.
The NLC acknowledged receipt of TEWU’s notification but reminded the union of the legal obligations outlined in Section 159 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), which governs the procedures for strike actions.
The Commission, exercising its authority under Section 139 of Act 651, urged TEWU to “stay the intended strike” pending the outcome of the scheduled meeting.
Additionally, the Commission directed the respondent employers, including the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), to provide a detailed status report on the issues in dispute by the close of work on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.
TEWU’s planned strike stems from what it describes as a “prolonged delay” in concluding and implementing conditions of service agreements that affect various categories of public sector workers under their representation.
This, the union says, has left its members frustrated and has significantly impacted their morale and productivity.
The NLC’s intervention is aimed at averting industrial action that could disrupt essential educational services across the country.
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