The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has clarified the unions’ decision to remain on strike following their latest meeting with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), saying the proposal presented fell far below their expectations.
President of NAGRAT, Jacob Anaba, said the FWSC’s offer did not adequately address the concerns raised by the teacher unions, leaving the negotiations inconclusive.
According to him, the FWSC entered the meeting with a mandate to negotiate on only two of the three allowance-related issues the unions had tabled.
Mr Anaba Speaking on Eyewithness News on Tuesday October 6, explained that although the specific figures discussed could not be disclosed, the proposal presented by the FWSC was significantly lower than what the unions were seeking.
He further described the gap between the proposal and the unions’ expectations as “very, very far,” stressing that the third item on the unions’ agenda had not been included in the FWSC’s initial mandate.
“The figure they gave to us was not what we were asking for. That is why they needed to go back. In fact, they came with the mandate to negotiate for just two items. The third item is a new one and they did not add that to what they came with. So we indicated that that should also be considered,” he said.
Mr Anaba said the unions are therefore waiting for the FWSC to secure a fresh mandate before negotiations can resume.
He added that if the Commission receives the necessary mandate and invites the unions back to the negotiating table, they will continue discussions, in line with the government’s expectation that the matter should be resolved within a week.
The clarification comes as NAGRAT, the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers’ Association of Ghana (PRETAG) continue their strike over concerns relating to their conditions of service, promotion and deprived-area allowance.
The unions declared the strike on September 25 and directed pre-tertiary teachers to withdraw their services until their concerns are addressed.
Source:Fiilafmonline/CitiNews
