Teacher Unions negotiation: Update on negotiations with government
National Labour Commission (NLC)
The Teacher Unions and the government’s negotiation has been given a deadline due to the government’s feet-dragging posture on agreeing on the tabled Conditions of Service for the Teacher Unions.
After several meetings with the government for a headway for teachers, the efforts of the Teacher Unions have proven to be futile.
The meeting on Thursday, April 2, 2024, has not resulted in any positive outcome. The National Labour Commission (NLC) after the Thursday, April 2, 2024 meeting has announced June 19, 2024, as the deadline for the Teacher Unions and Government to finish the negotiations and come into agreement.
In addition, NLC said if, by the aforementioned date, no agreement is made, the NLC would refer us to arbitration.
The posture of government teachers seems like infringing on the rights of teachers when it comes to negotiations of Conditions of Service that will yield a positive outcome in the education sector of Ghana.
Reports concerning the outcome of the teacher union negotiations with the government have it that the delay is due to Deprived Area Allowance.
According to the report, the government wants to pay the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) allowance of GH¢2,000.00 every year, despite the Teacher Unions proposing GH¢3,000.00
However, the government is unwilling to accept and pay the Deprived Areas Allowance, stating that other sector workers also work in deprived areas.
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The reports also have it that the government wants a wider conversation with Trade Unions because other sectors and services also have workers in areas that can be classified as deprived. “Additionally, on the request from teachers for the Deprived Area Allowance, the government side has made it clear to the teacher unions that they wish to have a separate and wider conversation with Trade Unions because other sectors and services also have workers in areas that can be classified as deprived.”
The main issues presented by the Teacher Unions on the table of negotiation are:
- Deprived Area Allowance
- CPD Allowance
- Extra Duty & Assessment Allowance
- Data & Online Teaching Allowance
According to the Teacher Unions, until the government pays attention to their demands, better Condition of Service strikes and demonstrations will be their next action.
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
