CETAG Declares Indefinite Strike: Colleges of Education to Face Disruption

The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has announced an indefinite strike, effective Thursday, January 2, 2025.

The decision was made after an Emergency National Council meeting held on Monday, December 30, 2024, where the union expressed deep frustration over the government’s failure to address longstanding issues despite repeated negotiations and arbitration awards.

CETAG’s leadership issued a statement detailing their grievances, including the government’s failure to adhere to agreements and delays in implementing arbitration awards handed down by the National Labour Commission (NLC). These unresolved issues have pushed the union to take drastic action.

A key point of contention is the government’s non-compliance with a compulsory arbitration award issued by the NLC on May 2, 2023.

This ruling called for the migration of teaching staff at colleges of education onto the pay structure of their affiliated universities.

However, 20 months after the decision, the process remains incomplete, leading to widespread discontent among educators.

Furthermore, CETAG highlighted that the government has failed to pay compensation for all-year-round work performed by staff in 2022, as stipulated in the arbitration award.

The union said that 42 colleges of education have yet to receive the one-month basic salary that was promised as compensation.

Another major issue is the prolonged delay in issuing new appointment letters based on staff audits and the universities’ schemes of service.

These letters, which are crucial for the migration process, were expected to be distributed by October 2024, but remain outstanding.

The union also pointed to the non-payment of top-up book and research allowances for staff at Akrokerri College of Education for 2023, a situation they deem a glaring failure on the part of the government to meet its obligations.

CETAG accused the NLC of failing to enforce its own directives, despite numerous attempts to prompt action. The union emphasized that no member would return to work until all the outstanding issues were resolved.

“This declaration of an indefinite strike action is in accordance with Section 159 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651),” the statement read. “

Members shall not under any circumstance return to the colleges to undertake any official duties, including teaching and supervision, until the last pesewa is paid.”

The strike is expected to disrupt academic activities at colleges of education across the country, significantly affecting teacher training programs.

CETAG has called on the government and relevant stakeholders to urgently address their concerns, warning that the strike will continue indefinitely unless their demands are met.