The Acting National Secretary of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has shared a summary of the proceedings that took place during the National Labour Commission (NLC) meeting held on Wednesday, 30th August, 2023.
During the meeting, various matters were discussed about the implementation of the Arbitral Award by the government. Read the summary below;
CETAG National Executives backed by UTAG National President and Secretary represented the Respondent.
SEE ALSO: CETAG Members’ August Salaries Frozen by Controller and Accountant General’s Department.
The Government Team was represented by officials from MoE, GTEC, FWSC, MoF, MELR and PRINCOF.
The Government Team reported on the status of compliance with the NLC Arbitral Award Orders which the Commissioners directed them to present to them on 16th August, 2023.
The Government Team reported that the staff audit report shall be sent to all Principals on Friday, 1st September, 2023 for the implementation to start immediately for deserving members of CETAG.
Also, the Government Team informed the Commission that the leave roster for all the Colleges has been filed at the registry of the Commission and CETAG members can immediately contact their respective Principals to see when they will take their leaves.
CETAG responded by informing the Commissioners that none of the awards has been fully complied with by the complaint.
READ ALSO: PRINCOF Disregards Publication on Postponement of Reopening Date for Second-Year Trainees.
CETAG provided samples of payslips to justify that even the 7 months’ arrears the employer is claiming to have paid this month was inaccurate because many of the payments were done with anomalies just to create impression that the employer has complied with that award.
The issue of non-payment of the August salary was tabled and the Commissioners provided their direction on it.
The Commissioners agreed with the Respondents that the enforcement of the Arbitration Award is the responsibility of the Commission and that they shall ensure that the employer complies with whatever was granted CETAG on 2nd May, 2023.
After Caucuses
CETAG asked the Commissioners to direct the employer to provide clear timelines for the implementation of each of the outstanding awards.
Summary Of The Ruling By The Commission
The Commissioners ordered the Employer to implement the staff audit report effective 1st September 2023 for deserving members of CETAG.
That the Employer must complete the compilation of the data for payment of the all-year-round compensation by 15th September 2023 and pay all entitled members of CETAG by 31st October, 2023.
CHECK: We must Stop this cosmetic approach in solving issues at the Colleges of Education – CETAG President
That all Principals must implement the leave roster with immediate effect.
That CETAG should take steps to call off the ongoing strike immediately to allow the Commission to intervene in the non-payment of August salaries to all members of CETAG.
That the Employer must take steps to rectify all anomalies on the payment of the Conditions of Service arrears for all affected members of CETAG.
That the Commission shall serve all parties with copies of her written Ruling by tomorrow Thursday, 31st August, 2023.
Leadership of CETAG was directed to call off the strike immediately to enable the Commission take up the salary freeze issue as the law did not permit them to intervene whilst CETAG is on strike.
Leadership asked to be given space to touch base with their constituents on the directive to call off the strike and report to the Commission by close of day Monday, 4th September, 2023.
ALSO READ: PRINCOF Appeals To CETAG Members to Cease Strike and Return to The Classrooms.
Finally, leadership shall communicate through Council to the rank and file the written Ruling of the Commission on 31st August 2023, as soon as we receive it for the necessary processes to be followed as directed by the Commission today.
Upon receipt of the ruling, each Local shall be expected to hold a meeting not later than Saturday, 2nd September, 2023 to consider the directive, vote on it and report the outcome to NEO through the Zonal Chairpersons for onward submission to Council for ratification before reporting to NLC NLC on Monday, 4th September, 2033.