The National Labour Commission (NLC) has directed three university staff unions to immediately call off their strike action, citing violations of Ghana’s Labour Act.
In a letter dated May 21, 2025, the Commission invoked Section 139(1)(d) of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), ordering the Senior Staff Association – Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), the Technical University Administrators Association of Ghana (TUAAG), and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG) to end their industrial action.
The directive follows a notice of intention to strike, served on the Commission on May 12, over alleged non-implementation of agreed conditions of service.
An agreement between the unions and the government was signed on November 12, 2024.
The NLC summoned the parties for a hearing on May 21, 2025. While FUSSAG and TUAAG appeared at the session, SSA-UoG was absent. The respondents included representatives from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), and the Ministry of Finance.
Despite the Commission’s intervention and directive to stay on the strike, the unions defied the order and proceeded with industrial action.
The NLC cited a press release by the unions, also dated May 21, announcing an indefinite strike in protest of what they described as the government’s continued breach of the agreement.
As a result, the Commission has declined to hear the matter further, invoking Section 161 of the Labour Act, which states that a matter cannot be entertained if parties are engaged in illegal strike actions.
The NLC has advised the unions to call off the strike and formally notify the Commission before any further steps can be taken.
University Senior Staff declare indefinite strike over unfulfilled govt agreement