TEWU and FUSSSAG rejects new date

Accra, Jul 6, GNA - The Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU)of the TUC and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAC), have rejected March first this year as the effective date for the payment of new salaries for their members. In a joint resolution after a meeting at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, the two bodies said, "we are surprised at the 1st march 2004 effective date announced by the Vice Chancellors Ghana (VCG) and reject that date outright".

The resolution signed by Mr Daniel Ayim Antwi, General Secretary of TEWU and Mr Dominic Otomfo Essel, President of FUSSAG, said the two bodies would abide by the agreement reached on 16 April, 2004 with the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals (CVCP)that the effective date for the new salary be 1st January, 2004.

It said the arrears must be paid on or before the close of work on the last working day of July, 2004, adding that, "If by the close of work on Monday, July 5, the VCG has not acted to secure for us the effective date of 1st January 2004, the Unions shall not be responsible for any consequences that may arise".

The TEWU/FUSSAG resolution followed a letter from the Vice Chancellor of University of Ghana (UG) and Chairman of the VCG fixing the effective date for the new salary structure at 1st March, 2004.

Mr Antwi in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Tuesday, said there had been no reaction to the resolution, which was copied to the Vice Chancellors and Registrars of KNUST, UG, Cape Coast University, University Education, Winneba and the University for Development Studies, adding that, the 1st March date had not been reversed.

Meanwhile, The University Ghana, Legon, branches of TEWU and FUSSAG, on Tuesday, withdrew their services for the second time this year to back their demand.

Speaking at a workers rally at the main entrance of the University, the Legon branch Chairman of TEWU, Mr. Peter Lumor, expressed surprise that the VCG had not made any arrangement for the payment of their arrears with effect from January 1, 2004.

He said in the past one effective date was given for the payment of salary increases to all category of workers in the Universities.

Mr Lumor said giving preferential treatment to Lecturers leaving the other category of workers was unfair, adding that, it did not augur well for the growth of the country's universities.

He reminded the VCG of the resolution passed in Kumasi 24th June 2004, which stated that if by 5th of July 2004 action had not been taken on the effective date for the payment of the salary increases TEWU and FUSSAG should not be blamed.