Accra: The Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has voiced its concerns over what it terms as prolonged unfair treatment and neglect by the government, specifically regarding the signing of their Conditions of Service. This grievance has culminated in the union announcing a strike action, as stated by Mr. Samuel K. Berko, the Senior Industrial Relations Officer of TEWU, Upper West Region, during a press conference.

According to Ghana News Agency, the government has honored the Conditions of Service for certain staff within the education sector, such as teaching staff, but has shown reluctance to do the same for non-teaching staff. Mr. Berko highlighted that despite engagements with the current administration, the issues affecting TEWU members remain unresolved, and the promises made have not been fulfilled, prompting the union to initiate the strike.

Mr. Berko, reading from a statement by Mr. King James Azortibah, the General Secretary of TEWU, emphasized the critical role that every staff member in the educational sector plays, including members of TEWU, and urged that they should not be dismissed or taken for granted. He stated that non-teaching staff in various educational institutions have been consistently overlooked when it comes to welfare and benefits, despite their essential contributions to the education system.

The unresolved issues cited by the union include delays in signing the Conditions of Service for TEWU and all junior staff of public and technical universities, non-teaching staff of the Ghana Education Service (GES), staff of the Museums and Monuments Board, and staff of the Ghana Library Authority. Additionally, there is uncertainty regarding the payment of Continuous Professional Development and Skills Allowance for non-teaching staff, unpaid weekend and overtime allowances for security and catering personnel, and unresolved promotion grievances within the GES for non-teaching staff.

TEWU is demanding that the government address these concerns promptly and that the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) conclude and sign all pending Conditions of Service agreements without further delay or excuses.