The three teacher unions on strike have ruled out an immediate return to the classroom, demanding evidence of payment of their outstanding promotion arrears before they call off the industrial action.
The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) took the position after meeting Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, who appealed to them to suspend the strike and return to work.
The unions, however, said assurances from the government were no longer sufficient, insisting that concrete action must precede any decision to end the strike.
Speaking after the meeting, GNAT’s Head of Salaries, Grievances and Negotiations, Isaac Baah, said teachers expected the outstanding salaries and arrears to be paid into their accounts.
“Indeed, we met the minister and his team this afternoon with regard to our strike action. It has been the old story of promises upon promises,” he said.
“At the moment, we are not taking promises. We want action.”
Mr Baah said the unions would remain on strike until teachers could see evidence that the government had fulfilled its commitments.
“Our teachers must continue to stay home until we see something concrete,” he said.
He explained that the unions expected the outstanding salaries and promotion arrears to reflect on teachers’ payslips and be credited to their accounts before they would consider returning to school.
“Until we see the salary and the arrears reflecting on our payslips and credited to our accounts, until we see that, we are not going back to school,” he said.
The unions are also demanding progress in negotiations over their conditions of service.
Mr Baah said the industrial action would continue until all the issues raised by the unions were addressed and resolved.
“We’ll continue to stay home until all our issues are addressed and resolved,” he said.
