The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has urged the three teacher unions who have declared a nationwide strike to reconsider their stance.
The Teacher Unions are concerned about the delay in negotiations of their Conditions of Service.
But the FWSC has categorically stated that there has not been any delay in the negotiations.
Responding to the concern raised by the Teacher Unions, the FWSC disclosed that at the meeting held with the Teacher Unions on 20th January 2024, the Government Team was able to reach an agreement with the Teacher Unions on ten (10) out of the sixteen (16) items submitted for negotiations.
The FWSC further indicated that there was the need to secure further mandate from the Ministry of Finance on the outstanding items in order to conclude negotiations with the Teacher Unions, to which they agreed.
Subsequently, FWSC extended an invitation to the Teacher Unions on Tuesday 19th March 2024 for a meeting on Thursday 21St March, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. to continue and possibly conclude the negotiations.
FWSC went further to contact some leaders of the Teacher Unions as part of preparations towards the meeting on Thursday 21st March, 2024.
A statement issued by the Public Affairs Unit of FWSC said: ”There was no indication, whatsoever, of their intention not to be available for further engagement. So therefore, without serving the required notice to embark on a strike, contrary to the relevant provisions of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) and the Rules of Engagement signed with the Teacher Unions, they have indeed embarked on an indefinite strike, which action we deem as a show of bad faith.”
The FWSC therefore, appealed to the leadership of the Teacher Unions and their Members to call off the strike immediately and come back to the negotiating table to continue with the engagement in good faith.
Source: Kasapafmonline.com
