Teachers' Strike: Full judgement from the National Labour Commission

Ferdinand|EducationGhana|November 9| Teachers’ Strike: Full judgement from the National Labour Commission

DIRECTIVE FROM NATIONAL LABOUR COMMISSION*

RE: IN THE MATTER OF ONGOING STRIKES BY PRE-TERTIARY TEACHER UNIONS

On Wednesday, 9th November 2022, the disputing parties appeared before the National Labour Commission for a hearing of the matter of the declaration of a strike by the Pre-Tertiary Teacher Unions.

Complainants-Government

Government the Complainant was led by the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations.

Respondents – Pre-Tertiary Unions

The Respondent Unions were led by the leadership of:

•President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers Ghana (NAGRAT)

⚫General Secretary of Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT)

President of Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT)

Complainants’ case

The Complainant, Government submitted as follows:

1. That Respondents have embarked upon strike since 4th November 2022.

2. That according to the Respondents, His Excellency the President has appointed an Ag. Director General of Ghana Education Service (GES) and they are unhappy about that appointment.

3. That a Deputy Director General of GES who had retired had also been given three (3) contract extensions.

4. That after the Complainants had been unsuccessful to get the Respondents to call off the action in order for them to discuss the issues, they sought the intervention of the Commission.

Reliefs

Complainants prayed for the Commission to intervene to have the unions call off the strike.

Respondent’s case

The Respondents submitted that they took the decision at the highest level, which is the National Executive Council (NEC) to declare industrial action because when the issue came to their attention and they raised concerns no action was taken.

The Respondent’s case is that:

1. The extension of the contract of the Deputy Director General was demotivating as there were equally competent people who could be appointed and especially so when there is a clear instruction from the sector Minister that contracts must not be extended.

2. That the criteria and calibre of the person appointed as Director-General (DG) of GES is inimical to educational development.

Findings

The Commission upon hearing the parties finds as follows:

1. That the Pre-tertiary Unions, the Respondents, are unhappy about the appointment of the DG of GES so they embarked upon strike.

2. That the Unions failed to follow due process before embarking on the strike.

Directive

The Commission hereby directs as follows:

1. That the Pre-tertiary Unions must call off the strike immediately. 2. That Government must engage the Unions over the issues in dispute.

3. Parties to report on 16th November 2022 at 11:00 am.

HON. OFOSU ASAMOAH EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

for: Commission