Three teacher unions defy NLC's directives

The three teacher unions in the country, the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers - Ghana (CCT-GH), have defied a directive by the National Labour Commission (NLC) to call off their three days old strike and return to the classrooms.

Members of NAGRAT, GNAT and CCT-GH began a strike on Monday due to delays in the payment of legacy arrears which span 2012 to 2016.

However, the National Labour Commission (NLC) has directed the striking teachers to call off the strike action and return to the classrooms.

It said in the exercise of the authority conferred on it by Section 139 (1)(b) of the Labour Act 2003, Act 651, it found the associations’ action in violation of the law and, therefore, the ongoing strike by the unions was illegal.

However, speaking at a forum in the Upper West region on Wednesday, the Head of Salaries and Conditions of Service at GNAT, Mr Isaac Yaw Baah said the three teacher unions were not embarking on an illegal strike so would not return to the classrooms until their needs were met.

He also urged teachers to support each other in fighting to achieve their purpose.

"We don’t believe we are embarking on an illegal strike, what is more illegal than holding somebody’s salary for seven years, what do you expect the person to do?

"We are not embarking on an illegal strike. We think what we are doing is legal.

"We are not going back to the classrooms until our needs are met.

"We have a slogan that touch one, you touch all. I am not biblically inclined but I know somewhere in the bible that (when) one sheep went astray, the shepherd left the ninety-nine and then went looking for the one and when he got it, they were happy and they rejoiced over that, so we are urging all our members, this one is solidarity.

"Let’s support each other to fight a good cause for our members."