UTAG to go on strike if…

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has indicated that if by July 31, 2013 government fails to respect an agreement regarding the payment schedule of 2012 Market Premium arrears, members “shall withdraw [their] services beginning 1st August, 2013”.

The decision was reached at a general meeting of UTAG's National Executive Committee (NEC) on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at the University of Ghana, Legon.

A statement signed by the National President of UTAG, Dr Anthony Simmons, noted that: “By the schedule, as indicated in the communiqué signed on 15th of April, 2013, UTAG members were to be paid four months arrears each month from April to July, 2013.”

As of Wednesday, the payment schedule had not been respected by government, Dr Simmons stated.

He indicated that despite several “requests” and “reminders” to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) over the book and Research Allowance for the 2012/2013 academic year, nothing has been done.

He hinted that government wants to scrap the Allowance and replace it with a central research fund.

“UTAG believes that any such attempt would be ill-advised, inappropriate and totally unacceptable,” he stressed.

UTAG called off a 13-day in April after a meeting with government in the presence of Vice Chancellors Ghana and National Council for Tertiary Education, reaching an agreement that their arrears from 2012 will be paid in a four-month installment package from April to July.