Three teacher unions to declare strike over allowance

The Ministry of Finance must approve the payment of agreed-upon allowances by August 8, 2024, or else three unions have said they would go on strike on August 9, 2024.

This prospective strike involves the following unions: Teachers and Educational Workers Union of the Trade Union Congress (TEWU-TUC), Federation of Senior Staff Associations of Ghana (FUSSAG), and Senior Staff Association-Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG).

The delay in the Finance Ministry’s letter to effect the payment of the Vehicle Maintenance Allowance (VMA) and other relevant allowances has drawn the attention of these groups.

The unions gave the government a deadline of August 8 to fix the issues, failing which they will go on strike the next day, according to a statement dated August 5.

They emphasized how urgent the situation was and expressed their dissatisfaction with the government’s passivity.

The unions claimed that the government was using cunning strategies to withhold their just compensation.

They emphasized that they had had enough and that they were ready to take the required steps to make sure their demands were fulfilled.

The unions reaffirmed their dedication to defending the welfare and rights of their people and urged the government to take immediate action to prevent unrest.

They urged the Ministry of Finance to keep its word and avert the upcoming work stoppage.

“The Unions have given the government (Ministry) up to the close of work on Thursday 8th August to release the letter. Failure to do so will result in the Unions being forced to take industrial action on the 9th of August 2024. The SSA-UoG, FUSSAG and TEWU (TUC) are committed to fighting for the rights of its members and will not rest until justice is served.”

“The Fair Wags and Salaries Commission has done what is needed by writing to the Ministry of 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,” an excerpt of their statement said.

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com