The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has responded to the plea from the Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF) to end their strike and resume teaching. In their response, CETAG explained why they can't accept PRINCOF's request. Here are the key points:
1. Frozen Salaries: CETAG pointed out that PRINCOF has often allowed their salaries to be frozen when they went on strike to demand better working conditions. This happened in November 2018, August 2023, and July 2024.
2. Staff Audit Report: Since September 2023, PRINCOF and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) haven't taken real steps to implement the staff audit report for CETAG members, which is one reason for the current strike.
3. NLC Award: CETAG said PRINCOF’s actions have encouraged the employer not to follow the National Labour Commission's (NLC) Compulsory Arbitration Award for CETAG, making the situation worse.
4. Government Meeting: During a meeting on June 20, 2024, PRINCOF advised GTEC not to follow the staff audit report for CETAG members, saying they don’t deserve the same conditions as public university lecturers.
5. Bad Faith Appeal: CETAG feels PRINCOF's appeal is insincere because it includes a condition that only those who return to work will get their July salary. CETAG sees this as intimidation.
6. Intervention Doubts: CETAG doubts PRINCOF's ability to help since PRINCOF participated in freezing their salaries and supported claims that their strike was illegal.
7. Legal Doubts: CETAG questions PRINCOF’s stance. If they agree the strike is illegal, how can they then help with salary payments?
8. Perpetuating Injustice: CETAG blames PRINCOF for always siding with the employer during strikes, making things worse for CETAG members.
9. Conditions for Consideration: CETAG will only consider PRINCOF's appeal if they push the employer to immediately implement all outstanding Compulsory Arbitration Awards.
10. Demands Fulfillment: CETAG's strike will continue until their demands, stated in their strike declaration on June 14, 2024, are met.
In summary, CETAG's response to PRINCOF is a call for real action, not just words. They want PRINCOF to focus on getting the employer to meet all their demands without more delays. The strike will go on until these demands are fulfilled, and CETAG urges its members to stay strong and resist any intimidation in their fight for fair treatment and economic justice.
