TUTAG Maintains Industrial Action Over Post-Retirement Contracts and Service Scheme Disputes

The Technical University Teachers’ Association of Ghana (TUTAG) has clarified its stance on its ongoing industrial action, maintaining a partial withdrawal of services despite the government’s recent move to begin paying Book and Research Allowances. National President Professor Deodat E. Adenutsi announced at a press conference that while the association acknowledges the initiation of the payment process for these allowances, several other critical grievances remain unaddressed, necessitating the continuation of the strike to protect the interests of its members.

According to the association, the focus of the industrial action has shifted toward the non-payment of post-retirement contracts and unilateral changes made to the agreed-upon scheme of service. Professor Adenutsi highlighted that these changes particularly affect librarians within the technical university system, creating administrative friction and professional uncertainty. TUTAG argues that these modifications were implemented without the necessary consensus, undermining the collective bargaining agreements and the stability of the academic environment.

Despite multiple engagements with various government agencies and stakeholders, the association maintains that tangible solutions have remained elusive. Consequently, TUTAG members have been directed to withdraw all services related to teaching and the supervision of students. While the lecturers will continue to perform other professional duties, the suspension of classroom activities and research oversight is expected to significantly impact the academic calendar across the country’s technical institutions.

As the strike persists, the leadership of TUTAG has signaled its readiness to return to full duties only when the government provides concrete resolutions to the outstanding contractual and administrative issues. This labor dispute presents an early challenge for the education sector under the administration of President John Mahama, as stakeholders call for swift mediation to prevent further disruption to the vocational and technical training of Ghanaian students.