The implication is that all tertiary institutions in the country, which are expected to be reopening now, for academic work to begin, has been crippled and everything, brought to a halt.
On January 13, the National Labour Commission (NLC) ruled that both UTAG and the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) did not go through the proper procedure before embarking on their strike actions.
The Leadership of UTAG, however, met the rank and file of its members on Monday to deliberate on the declaration of its strike action as illegal, by NLC and the way forward.
14 out of the 15 local chapters of UTAG, voted to remain on strike. Judging from the outcome of the meeting, there seem to be a crisis of confidence between UTAG and the NLC.
Now the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) is asking all its members across the nation to stay home from Thursday, January 20.
According to a circular to the members, this is to press home better conditions of service. Signed by Executive Secretary Isaac BampoeAddo, the circular dated Monday, January 17, 2022, said the decision was arrived at by the National Executive Council.
It said notice on the intent of the action was served on all relevant stakeholders as far back as Wednesday, December 22, 2021.
CLOGSAG, which forms the bulk of Civil Servants, is also flexing its muscle.
Tertiary education is a very critical arm of the education sector that must not be toyed with or treated with levity.
We have our reservations about strikes as instrument of addressing issues in labour relations, but we are persuaded by the reality on ground to see reason with the Lecturers and CLOGSAG members, who have over the years been made promises that failed to see the light of day, because governmet over the years, have a record of reneging on agreed terms..
In the opinion of this newspaper, the government must prove itself worthy of being trusted, that is the only way to avert any intention by another union, to also put down its tools.
