We will not be pressurized into a strike - GNAT

The Leadership of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), has indicated that it will not be forced to follow the example of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and embark on a strike action.

NAGRAT members began a nationwide strike on Wednesday March 9 in protest against discrepancies in their salaries, caused by their migration on to the Single Spine Pay Policy after an emergency meeting of their national executive on Tuesday March 8.

According to NAGRAT, they do not see any concrete action from government for the resolution of the impasse despite assurances from the Government and ongoing meetings between all stakeholders to rectify the anomalies.

Although some members of GNAT, mostly made up of basic school teachers have joined the NAGRAT strike, its leadership says it remains committed to ongoing discussions with Government, although it sympathises with the teachers’ frustrations.

The General Secretary of GNAT, Mawunyo Demenya told Citi News the Association's members were equally expecting improved salaries following the harmonization and standardisation of salaries across board.

He said GNAT has pleaded with its members to remain calm whilst the Government’s Technical Committee works on the discrepancies.

“We are not under any pressure to start a strike because members of NAGRAT are on strike” he said.

Mr. Demenya disagreed with suggestions that the leadership of GNAT failed to educate its members on what the Single Spine Salary Structure stood for hence their protests.

He said teachers were so expectant because other Government workers had automatically enjoyed increases after they were migrated.

But the Vice President of NAGRAT, Angel Carbonu has justified the strike action saying the group was not under any influence and that the decision was collectively taken by its national officers.

Mr. Carbonu denied allegations that NAGRAT leadership was forced to take the decision to safeguard their positions.

The two teacher associations have often not agreed on decisions to strike against government.

Deputy Education Minister Mahama Ayariga told Citi News Government is surprised at NAGRAT’s decision, describing it as "unfair" and "unfortunate."

“For us we are very surprised that NAGRAT is on strike. This is because NAGRAT wrote a letter to us on March 4, in which they indicated that they would be going on strike on Friday. And so we have been working towards that deadline and they know we have been working very hard to get all stakeholders to come to a solution that is acceptable to all sides. And so for them to declare a strike on Tuesday contrary to what they have formally given to us is most unfortunate” he noted.

“I find this declaration of strike by NAGRAT very unfair to us, unfortunate and in bad faith because they themselves had indicated that after 11th they will go on strike if the issues are not resolved. So why do you go and declare a premature strike when we are in consultation with all stakeholders including yourself. I will urge them to review their decision so that we will continue to engage with them”.