High Court injuncts teacher unions from continuing their strike

The National Labour Commission (NLC) has secured an injunction that is restraining the teacher unions from continuing their strike.

The NLC sued the teacher unions at an Accra High Court for their industrial action after efforts to get them to halt their action failed.

The Court in its ruling on Thursday, March 28 said ” It is hereby ordered that the respondents herein whether by itself, its executives, officers, members, agents, employees or other persons are restrained from further continuation of their strike action of 20th March 2024.”

The Three teacher unions declared a nationwide strike effective Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

The unions are the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT).

This was after they accused the government of negligence in addressing their conditions of service.

They had raised issues against the ongoing withholding of teachers’ salaries, unilateral changes to timetables without consulting the unions, and delays in the distribution of laptops to teachers.

Addressing the media earlier while announcing the strike, the National President of GNAT, Isaac Owusu said “The distribution of laptops to all teachers is of concern. The rampant changes of school calendar without recourse to negotiation with the teacher unions is affecting the smooth operation of the service. Also the blockage of teachers salaries by the Office of the Special Prosecutor without recourse to the laid down procedures is a major worry.”

“In the light of the above circumstances and given the delays and unfulfilled promises on the part of the employer and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and also threats from the rank and file of our members we the pre tertiary teacher unions do stand with our members and hereby declare a nationwide industrial action effective today, Wednesday, March 20, 2024, to press home our demand,” he stated.

The NLC in a statement signed and issued by its Chairperson, Justice Kwabena Asuman-Adu on Thursday ordered them to rescind their decision but they failed to comply, leading to the court action.

“in pursuance of Section 133 (1) of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) orders GNAT, NAGRAT, and CCT to rescind the decision of the declaration of a nationwide strike made on Wednesday 20 March 2024 and announced on various media networks in the country.”

 

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