‘So long as our demands are not satisfied, we will continue with strike’ – UTAG insists

UTAG wants the government to reconsider the payment of its annual research allowance to a more realistic allowance “as this is critical to our research output, promotion and ultimately national development.”

They also want the 2013 Interim Market Premium (IMP) of 114% of Basic Salary restored.

The Association had bemoaned the current salary arrangement which has reduced its members’ basic premiums to $997.84 instead of the 2012 conditions of service which put entry-level lecturers on a monthly payment of $2,084.42.

The stalemate between the government and UTAG has negatively impacted academic teaching and learning as continuing and fresh students continue to bear the brunt of the angry teachers.

Speaking to Accra-based Citi News, the National secretary of UTAG, Dr Asare Asante-Annor, said they won’t back down on their strike till their demands are met.

He also added that their legal team is set to return to court later today.

“There was the issue that because of the worsening economic conditions, the government should give us an interim market premium of 114% of our current basic so that when the substantive issue is done, then our members will be put back so that they are not worse off. And we have had a couple of meetings, but we have still not been able to reach any form of agreement. More specifically we don’t have any offer from the government to our members.”

“In the communiqué, we issued on the 10th of January, we stated clearly that the employer or the government should expedite action concerning our demands so that the academic calendar is not affected, but unfortunately that has not happened and so long as our demands are not satisfied, we will continue with the strike.”

Source: Thenewsroomonline