NLC orders university staff unions to halt illegal strike and resume work immediately

The National Labour Commission (NLC) has ordered three university staff unions to immediately suspend their ongoing strike, declaring it unlawful under Ghana’s Labour Act.

In a directive issued on May 21, 2025, the NLC cited Section 139(1)(d) of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), instructing the Senior Staff Association – Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), the Technical University Administrators Association of Ghana (TUAAG), and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG) to return to work without delay.

The directive comes after the unions served notice of their intention to strike on May 12, accusing the government of failing to implement the conditions of service agreed upon in a deal signed on November 12, 2024.

A hearing was scheduled by the Commission on the same day the directive was issued. While TUAAG and FUSSAG attended the session, SSA-UoG failed to appear. Present at the meeting were representatives from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), and the Ministry of Finance.

Despite the NLC's engagement and a standing directive to halt the strike, the unions proceeded with their planned industrial action, issuing a press release on May 21 to declare an indefinite strike in response to what they called the government’s continued disregard for the signed agreement.

In response, the Commission has withdrawn its involvement in the matter, invoking Section 161 of the Labour Act, which bars it from resolving disputes when a strike is deemed illegal.

The NLC has advised the unions to cease the industrial action and notify the Commission in writing before any further proceedings can be considered.