Three unions have threatened to strike on August 9, 2024, if the Ministry of Finance fails to authorize payment of agreed allowances by August 8, 2024.

The three unions involved are the Senior Staff Association-Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), the Federation of Senior Staff Associations of Ghana (FUSSAG), and the Teachers and Educational Workers Union of the Trade Union Congress.

The group has expressed worry about the Finance Ministry’s failure to provide a letter to effect payment of the Vehicle Maintenance Allowance (VMA) and other relevant allowances.

The unions noted in a joint press release that they had filed their concerns with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission of Ghana on June 10, 2024, with regards to the Vehicle Maintenance Allowance (VMA) and other related allowances.

They vowed to take industrial action on June 21, 2024, if these issues were not remedied. The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission held negotiations with the unions after the National Labour Commission’s hearing on June 19, 2024, which led to the signing of an agreement and an addendum.

The Commission then requested in writing that the Ministry of Finance release the cash so that they could be paid. Nevertheless, in spite of the unions’ repeated requests, the Ministry has not yet provided the required letter of authorization.

“The Ministry has been given till Thursday, August 8th, at the end of business by the unions to reveal the letter. On August 9, 2024, if this isn’t done, the Unions will have to resort to industrial action. In order to protect their members’ rights, the SSA-UoG, FUSSAG, and TEWU (TUC) are determined to keep fighting until justice is done,” they said in thier statement.

The Ministry of Finance has received a letter from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission requesting that payment be made.

“We’ve made multiple attempts to get the Ministry to issue a letter to that effect so that our members can get paid, but they’ve consistently refused,” the explained.

“The universities are currently being instructed by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to withhold payment of the increased rate until they receive a letter from the Ministry approving the payment. Then, while those who are paid by the Controller will continue to work for them, even those who are currently getting the new rate will be refused the new rate.

“The unions think that the government is trying to prevent us from getting an agreement with them by employing Machiavellian tactics.”

BY: APPIANIMAA MERCY