3 University Unions Hint at Strike

Three university unions have threatened to stage an industrial action following failure of the government to authorize the payment of their Vehicle Maintenance Allowance (VMA).

The three unions include the Senior Staff Association-Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), the Federation of Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG), the Teachers and Educational Workers Union of Trade Union Congress (TEWU- TUC).

A joint statement released by the three said they will be forced to lay down their tools after August 8, 2024.

They explained that after reaching an agreement with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), the Ministry of Finance has refused to authorize the payment by the Controller and Account General.

“The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission has done the needful by writing to the Ministry for Finance for payment to be effected. We have tried to engage the Ministry on several occasions to release a letter to that effect so our members could be paid but the Ministry has refused. Meanwhile those universities on government Subvention have been paid together with the arrears leaving those directly on the Controller and Account General’s Payroll.”

Meanwhile, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) is said to have ordered the universities not to pay the new rate until a letter from the Ministry authorizing it.

By this order, the unions fear that even those who have started receiving the new rate will be affected.

It added, “The Unions believe that government is using Machiavellian tactics to deny us of an agreement reached with them.”

They are bent on embarking on an industrial action if the government remains adamant over the payments by the close of work on Thursday.