University Workers' Salaries Increase

Basic salary for the staff of the state universities has been increased by 15 percent across board with retrospective effect from May 1, this year. This followed agreement reached between the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals (CVCP) and the Teachers Education and Workers Union (TEWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) as well as the Federation of University Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG) at the week-end.

A communique released in Accra yesterday said, "Management will apply to government for the release of the extra funds arising from the salary increase to be able to pay staff at the new salary levels and the resultant arrears by the end of November 2002, latest."

Last Wednesday, members of TEWU and FUSSAG embarked on industrial action to demand a 60 percent increase in salaries. The CVCP said it could only offer 10 percent but leaders of the workers reduced the demand to 45 percent.

The workers then embarked on an industrial strike, which called for a wage opener negotiation that resulted at the 15 percent increase.

Mr Dan Ayim Antwi, General Secretary of the TEWU, said as soon as practicable, the Union and CVCP will reconvene to consider the restructuring of the university salary scales.