UE/R: UPPER EAST REGIONAL TEACHERS AND EDUCATIONAL WORKERS’ UNION DECLARES NATIONWIDE STRIKE OVER UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES

BY: VALERIUS ATUIMAH

In a decisive move to protest what they describe as persistent neglect and unfair treatment, the Upper East regional chapter of the Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ghana, followed suit on the declared nationwide strike. Which begins with immediate effect as of Friday, September 19, 2025. The strike, announced at a press conference in Bolgatanga, calls on all non-teaching staff across the education sector to withdraw their services until further notice.

The press statement, read by Mr. Matthew Abeaba-Abereniya, the Senior Industrial Relations Officer for the Upper East Region, highlighted the long-standing grievances that have driven the union to this point. TEWU members from various institutions were present to show solidarity with the industrial action. The union has accused the government and its agencies of taking non-teaching staff for granted, despite their indispensable contributions to the smooth running of the educational system.

The strike affects non-teaching staff in various institutions, including; The Ghana Education Service (GES), Public and Technical Universities, Ghana Library Authority, and the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board.

The union’s decision to strike stems from a list of unresolved issues, which they claim have been ignored for too long despite numerous attempts at dialogue. The key demands are:

• Delay in Signing Conditions of Service:TEWU is demanding the immediate signing of the conditions of service for TEWU members and all junior staff in public and technical universities, the Ghana Library Authority, and the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board.
• Continuous Professional Development Allowance (CPDA):The union demands the inclusion of non-teaching staff of the Ghana Education Service in the payment of the Continuous Professional Development Allowance, effective from September 2025. TEWU highlighted the perceived discrimination, as teaching colleagues have been assured of this allowance, while non-teaching staff remain uncertain of payment.
• Unpaid Allowances and Promotion Issues: Other grievances include unpaid weekend and overtime allowances for security and catering personnel in the GES, public universities, and technical universities, as well as unresolved promotion grievances.

TEWU’s leadership stated that while they have exercised patience and commitment to dialogue, the unfulfilled promises and persistent neglect were nothing short of discrimination and unfair labour practices, which are frowned upon by both the 1992 Constitution and the Labour Act, Act 651. The union emphasized that the strike is not directed at Ghanaian students or parents but is a stand against an unfair system that undermines the dignity and rights of its members.

The strike is expected to severely disrupt administrative, security, and maintenance operations across educational institutions nationwide. The union has called on all stakeholders, including the government and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, to urgently address their legitimate concerns and sign all conditions of service without further delay or excuses.

“We have shown patience, we have shown restraint, but patience is not weakness and our silence must not be taken for acceptance,” the press statement read.

Until these issues are resolved, all TEWU members have been directed to stay away from work in solidarity.