Ferdinand | EducationGhana | June 14|CETAG Declares Indefinite Strike Across All 46 Public Colleges of Education in Ghana

The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) declares an indefinite strike across all 46 public colleges from June 14th, 2024, citing non-compliance with NLC decisions and unpaid allowances.

Background and Reasons for the Strike

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG), with the consent of the National Council and all CETAG members, has declared an indefinite strike starting Friday, June 14th, 2024.

This decision was made per Article 15 Section 3 of the CETAG constitution, aiming to secure the economic rights of its members as stipulated under Article 24(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and Section 10 (a) and (b) of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).

CETAG’s Grievances

1. Non-Compliance with NLC Decisions:
   • Failure of the Employer to adhere to the National Labour Commission (NLC) decisions, specifically the Compulsory Arbitration Awards which include:
     • Payment of one-month salary as compensation for additional duties performed in 2022.
     • Implementation of agreed rates of allowances applicable to public universities for CETAG members.
     • Commencement of the Staff Audit exercise implementation from January 2023.
2. Lack of Implementation by the Employer: Despite CETAG’s efforts, the Employer has not implemented the NLC orders.
3. Unfulfilled Strike Resolution: In August 2023, CETAG ended a strike action based on NLC’s assurance of enforcing its orders, which remains unfulfilled.
4. Unpaid Research Allowance: The Employer has failed to pay arrears of the research allowance per CETAG’s 2023 Condition of Service agreement with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC).
5. Unilateral Changes by PRINCOF and GTEC: The Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF) and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) unilaterally altered CETAG’s office holding positions and allowances, breaching the Harmonised Statutes and the 2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement approved by the Ministry of Finance.
6. Frozen Salaries: Unjustifiable freezing of August 2023 salaries of the CETAG National President and other members.
7. Ignored Communications: Since November 2023, CETAG has written three letters to the Commission for enforcement of its orders, all of which have been ignored.

CETAG’s Call to Action

CETAG urges all its members to comply with the strike declaration by withdrawing teaching and related services indefinitely until all the Compulsory Arbitration Awards and related concerns are fully implemented and payments are made.