GES should resume negotiations with TEWU

Accra, Sept. 28, GNA - The National Labour Commission has given the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports a seven-working day ultimatum to re-convene the Standing Negotiation Committee meeting on the resolution of issues in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) of the Teachers and Educational Workers' Union (TEWU), which expired five years ago.

A letter from NLC to the Minister read: "In accordance with the NLC regulations, 2006, L.I. 1822, we direct that the Standing Negotiating Committee should re-convene within seven working days on receipt of this letter to continue with the deliberations".


The deliberations held on Wednesday, August 9, 2006, was adjourned to September 14, this year, to enable management to seek a mandate from the authorities on some deferred proposals and also to allow two technical sub-committees to come out with recommendations on salary review and provident fund for consideration.


The call stemmed from a complaint TEWU made to the NLC on the "Uncooperative attitude of the Ghana Education Service (GES)" in giving a mandate to continue with outstanding issues on the CBA. The NLC said should there be any difficulties "why the negotiations cannot re-open within the specified period" it should be informed, adding that the time be communicated to the NLC.

The outstanding issues concern Responsibility Allowance, End of Service Benefit, Salaries and Provident Fund.


Meanwhile, Mr Dan Antwi, General Secretary of TEWU said, currently, there was agitation among the membership of the Union to lay down their tools and there was the need for swift action.