General News of Friday, 13 September 2019
Source: starrfm.com.gh
NAGRAT defies orders to call off strike
File Photo: NAGRAT says its concerns have not been addressed by the government
The Ashanti Region chapter of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has charged its members in the region not to return to the classrooms.
NAGRAT insists until its tabled demands are duly addressed by authorities, the much condemned strike will continue unabated.
A statement signed by its Chairman Francis Yaw Owusu stated in part: “The industrial strike declared by NAGRAT on 6th September 2019, has not been called off and that all NAGRAT members are being reminded to stay away from school.”
“The strike action will be called off when all the problems we have enumerated are addressed.”
The statement which enjoined all other teacher unions to follow suit added, “All headmasters and head mistresses are encouraged to resist the temptation of intimidating members of their staff who stay away from school as a result of the strike.”
The statement further pointed out that “NAGRAT was not doing this for its “selfish interest but for the good efficacy of education in Ghana.”
Among others, the teachers are protesting delayed renewal of collective bargaining agreements; salary arrears; unpaid allowances and the laxity to approve promotions and reinstatement of teachers returning from study leave.
Meanwhile, the National Labour Commission has summoned the striking teacher front for deliberations on their demands to fashion out an amicable resolution between the teachers and government.
