CETAG threatens nationwide strike

College of Education Teachers Association (ETAG) has threatened to embark on nationwide strike over their salary arrears.

In a statement signed by the National Secretary of the Association Prince Obeng Himah said, if the Ministry of finance fails to pay the outstanding areas due them by Wednesday November 1, 2017 all the members will withdraw their services effective by Thursday November 2, 2017

It added that salary arrears to their members has been outstanding Since October 2016.It should be remembered that in October 2016, the Finance Ministry through the controller and Accountant-General's Department (C'A'G'D) migrated tutors of the thirty-eight public colleges of education onto the colleges of education pay structure.

Read statement below

DECLARATION OF STRIKE BY COLLEGES OF EDUCATION TEACHERS

ASSOCIATION OF GHANA

The Leadership of colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (ETAG) is directing all members of the Association to withdraw their services effective Thursday, November 2, 2017 if the Ministry of Finance fails to pay our outstanding areas on Wednesday November 1 2017.

The action is in demand for payment of salary arrears to members that has been outstanding Since October 2016.It should be remembered that in October 2016, the Finance Ministry through the controller and Accountant-General's Department (C'A'G'D) migrated tutors of the thirty-eight public colleges of education onto the colleges of education pay structure.

This followed the passage of the Colleges of Education ACT 847 in 2Ol2 to upgrade the colleges to tertiary status and subsequent engagement by the National council of Tertiary Education Fair wages and Salaries commission Ministry of Education, colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) and other relevant stakeholders.

Regrettably, one year down the line, salary affairs which is the difference between the previous salary levels and the new salary levels from the period of January to September 2016 remains outstanding.

Not even CETAG's submission of proof of documentary commitment by the Fair wages and Salaries commission (F'W'S'C) setting 1st January, 2017 the effective implementation for the migration of the tutors will get the Ministry of Finance to pay the arrears' CETAG consequently, reported the matter ‘to the National Labour Commission for settlement

After months of entering appearance and hearing by CETAG on one side and the Ministry of Finance alongside Ministry of Education on the other hand, the commission gave a remarkable Ruling on the 4th October 2017 asking the Ministry of Finance to rise with appropriate bodies and make all effort to pay the arrears in two weeks effective the ruling date. Unfortunately, today’s date is 30th October, 2017 but the money is yet to be paid.

On the basis of this development, leadership has decided that members should withdraw our services in all the thirty-eight public colleges of education till such a time that the arrears is fully paid to members, having duly consulted all Local and Zonal branches of the Association on the matter.

By this directive, we entreat all Local branches to wear red bands from Tuesday, 3Ist October, 2017 to Wednesday 1st September 2017 to be followed by strike on Thursday, November 2, 2017, if the Ministry of Finance fails to comply with the NLC ruling. All local chairpersons are advised to give their Principals a copy of this directive.

COLLEGES OF EDUCATION

TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF GHANA

Prince Obeng Himah

(National Secretary)