UE/R: SOCO PROJECT FACILITATORS URGED TO WORK HARD FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT – DCE NABDAM
By – Sadat Dabo
Members of teacher unions in pre-tertiary education in the Upper East Region have held a press conference in Bolgatanga to demand the payment of some allowances to improve their working conditions.
The unions consist of members of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers-Ghana (CCT-GH).
The press conference follows the government’s failure to address the concerns of the unions after several negotiations.
The Upper East Regional Secretary of GNAT, Mr.Lare Kitonname, who read the press statement on Monday May 6, 2024 stated that the government’s failure to honour the collective agreement has culminated in despondency and disaffection for the unions.
The teachers bemoaned the government’s failure to implement their allowances agreed on, in a 2009 and 2020 collective agreement.
They say the government has been adamant about fulfilling its promises after 15 years of the unions’ agitations. Though the collective agreement captures about 17 allowances, the unions have settled on four critical ones after several considerations.
“Since the negotiation of our collective agreement in 2009 and after the 2020 collective agreement, the unions have known no peace, owing to the government’s continued failure to implement the allowances agreed on, as well as fulfill promises given”
“We have been contemplating on 17 types of allowances. However, due to several consideration we have reduced them four”
The four are Deprived Area, Extra Assessment, Book/Data/Online and Upward Adjustment of the CPD Allowances
Mr. Lare Kitonname said the plights of many teachers have worsened because of the current economic crisis, which has taken a toll on their wages. He therefore entreated the government to address their concerns as soon as possible
The unions have given their employers until May 13, 2024 to settle their demands, or they will take the next line of action.
Source – gbcuraonline.com
