The Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) of TUC, Ghana, says it fully complied with every provision of the Labour Act in declaring the current strike.
The action, it said, was legal, justified, and binding on all members.
“We will not allow a few opportunists to sabotage the collective struggle of thousands of workers who deserve nothing less than justice and dignity at the workplace,” it said in a statement signed by the General Secretary, King James Azortibah.
It, therefore, charged junior staff in public and technical universities to stand solidly with TEWU of TUC (Ghana), fully participate in the ongoing strike action, ignore and reject with contempt any statements from Tertiary Education Workers Union-Ghana, the Technical University Workers Association of Ghana (TUWAG), or any other usurpers.
Industrial action
Last Friday, TEWU of TUC declared an indefinite nationwide strike over what it termed the government’s delay in addressing its conditions of service.
It, therefore, directed all non-teaching staff of the Ghana Education Service (GES), public and technical universities, the Ghana Library Authority and the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board across the country to stay away from work until further notice.
“The government, particularly the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), must conclude and sign all conditions of service without further delays or excuses.
We have shown patience.
We have shown restraint,” Mr Azortibah said at a press conference in Accra.
Welfare
“This strike is about your welfare, your future, and your dignity. Let us remain united, resolute, and unyielding until our legitimate demands are met. Unity is Strength — Solidarity Forever!” it told union members.
The statement condemned in the strongest possible terms the reckless and misleading joint press release issued by the TEWU-GH and TUWAG.
“The statement is a brazen attempt to sow confusion among Junior Staff in our Public and Technical universities.
Let it be placed on record: these groups are breakaway factions with no legal mandate, no bargaining certificate, and no moral authority to speak on behalf of our members.
Their actions are nothing but a desperate bid to mislead workers and undermine the legitimate struggle for better conditions of service,” it said.
Bargaining certificate
For over 65 years, it said TEWU of TUC had been the sole, legally recognised and internationally respected union for junior staff in all public and technical universities and that the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) and the National Labour Commission recognise TEWU of TUC as the exclusive bargaining agent.
The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), it said, had signed the rules of engagement only with TEWU of TUC(Ghana), not with TEWU-GH, TUWAG, or any other faction.
“This is an undisputed fact,” it said.
Warning
The statement directive to junior staff was not to be deceived or used as pawns by those illegitimate groups.
“Your salaries, your working conditions, and your future are protected only under the authority of TEWU of TUC (Ghana). Any attempt to follow the misleading advice of these breakaway groups will only jeopardise your hard-won rights,” it said.
