Government has begun negotiations with the leadership of the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) regarding the conditions of service for the members of the union.

The process was initiated after the parties signed the rules of engagement.

The government team was led by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) with the management of Ghana Education Service, (GES) while TEWU was represented by union executives.

Before the signing of the rules of engagement, the Director of Grievance and Negotiation at FWSC, Prof Charles Adabo Oppong, commended TEWU for calling off its strike and returning to the negotiation table.

He expressed hope that the negotiations would be peaceful for a successful outcome.

The Director-General of GES, Dr Eric Nkansah, commended the executives of TEWU for their support and the patience exhibited towards the negotiation process.

He, also, thanked the FWSC for their efforts in getting mandates for negotiations even in an election year.

The General Secretary of TEWU, King James Azortibah, called for expeditious negotiations stating that the union was prepared to negotiate in good faith and also get a good deal for members.

The National Chairman of TEWU, Salamatu M. Braimah, spoke about the frustration the members were going through and said any further delays may aggravate their plights.

Strike action suspended

Earlier, the National Labour Commission after summoning TEWU and the government team on November 20, 2024, directed TEWU to call off its indefinite nationwide strike action which began on Monday, November 18.

TEWU embarked on the strike action, citing the government’s failure to address longstanding concerns regarding their conditions of service.

TEWU-TUC expressed frustration over delays in concluding, signing, and implementing revised conditions of service for workers under the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Ghana Library Authority, the Museums and Monuments Board, as well as Public Technical and Traditional Universities.