The Senior Staff Association-Universities of Ghana, in conjunction with the Federation of Senior Staff Association Ghana, has announced an indefinite strike, effective January 17, 2024, citing the government’s persistent neglect of their members’ welfare and other conditions of service.
The decision to embark on the industrial action is a response to the government’s delayed release of tier two pension funds and a directive from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission. The directive calls for the cancellation of payment for overtime allowance concerning weekend and holiday work.
As part of the strike, the Senior Staff Association has withdrawn various services, including processing student admissions and graduations, medical services, security, dental care, laboratory facilities, hostel accommodations, mortuary services, laborers, cleaners, maintenance, and estate management.
Isaac Donkor, the National Chairman of the Association, emphasized the painful decision to strike, pointing to the government’s lack of goodwill and faith in ongoing discussions.
“We have had to reach this painful decision because the Government has not shown goodwill and faith in our discussions. Immediately starting today, we have declared an indefinite strike across Ghana until the Government is ready to engage us,” he stated at a press conference in Accra on January 17.
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The striking association, which boasts a membership in the thousands across all 16 public universities, has specific demands. They are calling for the immediate release of their pension funds and a reversal of the directive on overtime for holiday and weekend work, citing that it goes against their working conditions and terms of service.
The Association has declared that the strike will persist until the government addresses their concerns and engages in meaningful discussions with the aggrieved staff members.
