National Labour Commission issues directive on Teacher Unions Strike

National Labour Commission issues directive on Teacher Unions Strike

The National Labour Commission (NLC) has issued directive on Pre-tertiary Teacher Unions Strike against the appointment of Dr. Eric Nkansah as Director-General of Ghana Education Service (GES) and contract extension of Deputy Director-General Mr. Anthony Boateng among other substantive issues.

In a statement, the National Labour Commission said, on Wednesday, 9th November, 2022, the disputing parties appeared before the Commission for a hearing of the matter of declaration of strike by the Pre-tertiary Teacher Unions.

The Commission noted that, the Unions failed to follow due process before embarking on the strike.

The National Labour Commission has therefore directed the Pre-tertiary Unions to call off the strike immediately.

According to NLC, Government must engage the Unions over the issues in dispute for amicable resolution.

Meanwhile, the National Labour Commission also directed that, the aggrieved parties must report on 16th November, 2022 at 11:00 am to address the issues.

The National Labour Commission has also provided detailed proceeding on the subject matter.

Complainants- Government

Government the Complainant was led by the Deputy Minister of Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations.

Respondents- Pre-Tertiary Unions

The Respondent Unions were led by the leadership of:

1. President of National Association of Graduate Teachers Ghana (NAGRAT)

2. General Secretary of Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT)

3. President of Coalition of Concerned Teachers, Ghana (CCT-GH)

Complainants’ case

The Complainant, Government submitted as follows:

1. That Respondents have embarked upon strike since 4th November, 2022.

2. That according to the Respondents, His Excellency the President has appointed
an Ag. Director General of Ghana Education Service (GES) and they are unhappy about that appointment.

3. That a Deputy Director General of GES who had retired had also been given three (3) contract extensions.

4. That after Complainants had been unsuccessful to get the Respondents to call off the action in order for them to discuss the issues, they sought the intervention of the Commission.

Reliefs

Complainants prayed the Commission to intervene to have the unions call off the strike.

Respondent’s case

The Respondents submitted that they took the decision at the highest level, which is the National Executive Council (NEC) to declare industrial action because when the issue came to their attention and they raised concerns no action was taken.

The Respondents case is that:

1. The extension of contract of the Deputy Director General was demotivating as there were equally competent people who could be appointed and especially so when there is a clear instruction from the sector Minister that contracts must not be extended.

2. That the criteria and caliber of person appointed as Director-General (DG) of GES
is inimical to educational development.

Findings by National Labour Commission 

The Commission upon hearing the parties finds as follows:

1. That the Pre-tertiary Unions, the Respondents, are unhappy about the appointment of the DG of GES so they embarked upon strike.

2. That the Unions failed to follow due process before embarking on the strike.

Directive from the National Labour Commission 

The Commission hereby directs as follows:

1. That the Pre-tertiary Unions must call off the strike immediately.

2. That Government must engage the Unions over the issues in dispute.

3. Parties to report on 16th November, 2022 at 11:00 am.

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh