TEWU declares indefinite strike - Govt assures of redress

The Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) of TUC has declared an indefinite nationwide strike, effective yesterday, 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. 

“But patience is not weakness, and our silence must not be mistaken for acceptance.

We wish to make it clear that this strike is not against the Ghanaian student or the parent, but against an unfair system that continuously undermines the dignity and rights of TEWU members,” the General Secretary of TEWU of TUC, King James Azortibah, said at a press conference in Accra yesterday.

Government

Responding to the development, the Minister of Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Rashid Pelpuo, said the government was working on a larger solution to address not only the grievances of TEWU but also the concerns of other worker unions.

He indicated that tackling the demands of unions individually would create more problems for the labor force and that a comprehensive approach was being considered.

Dr Pelpuo said steps were being taken to meet the leaders of TEWU of TUC for talks.

Delay

Mr Azortibah explained that the delay in signing the conditions of service included junior staff of public and technical universities, non-teaching staff of the GES, staff of the Museums and Monuments Board and staff of the Ghana Library Authority.

Again, he said the non-teaching staff remained uncertain about the payment of the Continuous Professional Development Allowance, although teachers had been assured of theirs.

Moreover, he said there were unpaid weekend and overtime allowances for security and catering personnel in the GES, public and technical universities, and unresolved promotion grievances in the GES for the non-teaching staff. 

Signing

Mr Azortibah said TEWU, therefore, demanded the immediate signing of the conditions of service for all junior staff of public and technical universities, staff of the Ghana Library Authority, Ghana Museums and Monument Board, the inclusion of GES non-teaching staff in the payment of CPDA, effective September 2025 and the resolution of all promotion grievances in the GES.

He called on all stakeholders to impress upon the government and the appropriate authorities to promptly address their legitimate concerns.

Until then, he said, “We shall remain resolute. All TEWU members are to stay home in solidarity until further notice.”

“We have invited you here today by the leadership of the Teachers and Educational Workers Union of the Trades Union Congress, to bring to the attention of the nation the unfair treatment and disregard that non-teaching staff in the education sector have endured for too long a time.

TEWU of TUC, Mr Azortibah said, had exercised patience and shown commitment to dialogue with our social partners. 

Issues

Unfortunately, he said, “the issues that affect our members remain unresolved and promises made to us have been left unfulfilled.

This persistent neglect is nothing short of discrimination and unfair labour practice, which both the 1992 Constitution and the Labour Act, Act 651, frown upon.”

He said it was for that reason that, effective yesterday, September 19, 2025, TEWU of the TUC had declared a nationwide strike with immediate effect.