Strike

Senior Staff Association-Universities of Ghana has revealed that the Association will remain resolute in their quest to obtain justice for their rank and file, so they are still embarking on strike unless government addresses their grievances. 

According to the association, since March 2018, they have constantly drawn Government’s attention through relevant Agencies to the following grievances of the Senior Staff cadre of public Universities in Ghana; Award of Interim Market Premium and Non-Basic Allowance, Unpaid Tier-Two, Pension Contribution {2010-2016} and Deteriorating Conditions of Service.

Speaking at a press conference ant Accra, the University of Cape Coast Senior Staff Chairman, Sandy Kumi-Sinatra lamented that the Government has been unfair to the Senior Staff cadre of public Universities in Ghana because the interim market premium and non-basic allowance is been awarded to a selected few within the University community is discriminatory. He added, the government has been in breach of the Pension Act 2008 {Act 766} which stipulates that their Tier-Two contributions shall be paid to a designated fund manager every month.

“Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, are we not justified to say government is deliberately breaching the National Pension Act and frustrating the Senior Staff cadre of public Universities in Ghana, especially our colleagues who went on retirement last year and those who are expected to go this year?” he said.

The University of Cape Coast Senior Staff Chairman, Sandy Kumi-Sinatra noted that, since 2008, their conditions of service have not been reviewed, thus accounting for the deteriorating conditions under which they work. In view of this, they are expecting the Authorities concerned to expedite the processes instead of the knee-jerk approach adopted by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission {FWSC}. 

“ Per the Labour Act, conditions of service of employees are expected to be re-negotiated every two {2} years” he indicated.

They threatened to withdraw all essential services such as Security, Fire Service and Hospital Staff if further attempts are made to withhold their salaries.

By Elvis Kumah Sampson