Another Strike Looms: NAGRAT warns Fair Wages over allowances

The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has hinted it will succumb to pressure from its members to embark on a strike if the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission fails to negotiate with them for the payment of delayed allowances.

It has petitioned the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission over what it says is the unfair treatment being meted out to its members. NAGRAT is questioning the delays in the payment of the allowances to its members when some public servants are enjoying the same allowances.

Greater Accra Regional Chairman, Patrick Agboyibor, told XYZ News, graduate teachers are agitating over the matter; a situation which could easily get out of hands if not nipped in the bud.

“I call on the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to call immediately, organized labour and for that matter NAGRAT, so that negotiations go on. They must finish and make sure that it is included in next year’s budget,” he said.

Mr. Agboyibor said if this is not done now, then there is the likelihood that its members will still not receive the allowance next year.

Meanwhile, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission is in talks with the Public Services Joint Negotiating Committee, an umbrella body for all Unions and Associations, to work out modalities for the payment of allowances to public servants.

The payment of allowances is the second stage of the Single Spine Salary Structure.

Director of Grievances and Negotiations at the Fair Wages, Cornelius Yawson, has told XYZ News the Commission is already negotiating with the umbrella body and will not meet any union or association over the same issue.