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Universities’ senior staff resume work after suspension of strike

Members of the Kwame University of Science and Technology (KNUST) chapter of the Senior Staff Association have resumed work, following the suspension of their industrial action across the country.

Departments and faculties that were deserted due to the strike are now operational.

Academic activities have also resumed at KNUST basic school after it was shut down due to the strike.

The KNUST-chapter President of the Senior Staff Association, George Ansong said all members have complied with the directive and have resumed work.

He however wants the government to fulfil its promise of addressing concerns of the association.

“As you all know, the strike has been suspended, so we sent messages across to members to tell them that we are resuming fully on Monday and I have gone round to check and people have complied. People have reported and they are working seriously.”

With regard to the negotiation, he said, “we’ve gone far and with the kind of conversation [we had], the team was satisfied, so they said we should resume work while we complete the negotiation. And with the assurances given us, this time, we trust that the government will not fail.”

The association declared a strike on May 18, 2021, over the failure of the government to pay its members Tier 2 pension contributions.

Members of the association were asking for the award of market premium and non-basic allowance, as well as the finalization of negotiations of their conditions of service.

The National Labour Commission and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) met with the leadership of the senior staff on Wednesday, June 9, to resolve their grievances.

While on strike, the association, in a statement, noted that management in some universities had resorted to “using vigorous intimidation and threat tactics against some of its striking members, with the sole aim to coerce and create fear and panic amongst its rank and file.”

The association warned that the approach, if not ceased, could “possibly destabilize the industrial harmony within the public universities in the country.”

The suspension of the strike follows a fruitful meeting the leadership of the association had with the National Labour Commission and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission on Wednesday.

Source:Fiilafmonline/CitiNews

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