University worker unions to embark on strike over outstanding allowances

The Senior Staff Association-Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), the Federation of Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG), and the Teachers and Educational Workers Union of Trade Union Congress (TEWU-TUC) have announced their intention to begin an industrial action on August 9 in the event that their demands regarding unpaid allowances are not met by the government.

The unions noted in a joint press release that they had filed their concerns with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) on June 10, 2024, with regards to the Vehicle Maintenance Allowance (VMA) and other related allowances.

In the June 10 letter to the FWSC, the unions resolved to take industrial action on June 21, 2024, if these issues were not remedied.

According to the press release, the FWSC, after a hearing by the National Labour Commission on June 19, signed an agreement with unions for the release of funds by the Ministry of Finance, but the ministry has not issued the necessary authorisation letter.

They also accused the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission of instructing the Finance Ministry not to pay the new rate until the Ministry releases the authorisation letter.

Further, they claimed the government is using “Machiavellian tactics” to deny them their agreed-upon allowances.

SSA-UoG, FUSSAG, and TEWU-TUC have therefore given the Finance Ministry until August 8, 2024, to address their grievances, failing which they will embark on a strike action on August 9, 2024.

Below is the joint release from the unions