Teachers to remain on strike as talks with FWSC end in stalemate

Teachers will remain on strike after negotiations between their unions and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) ended without agreement on Tuesday.

The talks focused on outstanding arrears, particularly those relating to promotions, and other conditions of service.

Dr George Smith-Graham, Chief Executive Officer of the FWSC, said the meeting marked the beginning of negotiations and that the parties would reconvene on Wednesday.

He said the FWSC was committed to reaching an agreement with the unions to enable teachers to return to the classroom.

“We want to make sure that we are able to conclude with the negotiations so that all of us parents will be happy to get our teachers back to the classroom,” he said.

Mr Jacob Anaba, President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), said the strike would continue while negotiations were ongoing.

“This is to inform teachers that under the circumstance, the status quo remains,” he said.

The Pre-Tertiary Education Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG), Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and NAGRAT have maintained that the strike will continue until an agreement is reached.

The teachers have been on strike since last week over demands for payment of outstanding arrears and other conditions of service.

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education, had earlier assured the teachers that the outstanding arrears would be paid by the end of October.

The parties are expected to resume negotiations on Wednesday.

GNA