Secretary for the Association of Universities Teachers of Ghana (UTAG-Legon), Professor Ransford Gyampo, said, while the teachers are respecting the court, “constructive resistance” is being launched to preserve the interests of the public.
His reaction comes after the current nationwide strike of the UTAG in response to the alleged inability to address the working conditions of its members.
The Association claimed the government negotiations had been held since 2012 but had not achieved any breakthroughs hence refuses to withdraw their decision, admits the National Labour Commission (NLC) issuing an appeal court order from the Labor Court to force the UTAG to sojourn the strike.
“Today leaders have again been invited to discuss a roadmap for another negotiation; we have been toyed with for long . . . it seems they’re taking advantage of us but that can’t continue . . . we’ve been talking about conditions of service since 2012”. Ransford Gyampo explained.
“The resolution of the ordinary lecturers; not UTAG on the various campuses is that we’ll continue with the strike despite the court injunction. It is not a deliberate act to disobey the court but sometimes we need positive defiance to project a certain common good because here we are with Article 71 officeholders enjoying good conditions of service and they don’t want to meet ours. The least act then they threatens you with court action.
We respect the court but sometimes if some people would want to use establishment to undermine or intimidate the public, good positive defiance must come in to protect the public interest or public good,” he furthered.
Prof. Gyampo further emphasized that it was not the Association that decided on constructive disobedience, but rather those professors who believe that they are mistreated.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Ben-Dave Nana Osei-Bonsu
