The Colleges of Education Non-Teaching Staff Association of Ghana (CENTSAG) has officially announced its intention to embark on an indefinite industrial strike. This decision, according to a statement issued on January 2, 2025, follows a prolonged delay in the migration of its members onto the single spine salary grade structure, aligning them with the salary structure of staff in public universities.
The Unresolved Issue of Salary Migration
At an emergency meeting convened by CENTSAG's National Council, the association expressed grave concerns over the stagnation of the migration process. For years, the migration has been touted as a step toward salary equity, but the apparent lack of progress has left the association's members frustrated and disillusioned.
The council suspects that the delay is a deliberate tactic by authorities to frustrate efforts toward achieving fair pay for non-teaching staff in colleges of education. As a result, CENTSAG has issued an ultimatum to the government: ensure concrete actions are taken to complete the migration process by January 10, 2025, or face an indefinite industrial action starting January 13, 2025.
A Call for Immediate Action
The association is particularly insistent on the immediate implementation of a staff qualification and placement audit, which it believes is crucial to the migration process. Evidence of progress must be provided to the National Executives by the set deadline to prevent the looming strike.
CENTSAG is resolute in its stance. According to its leadership, the strike will be a necessary step to press home their demand for fairness and equity in salary structure, particularly for the non-teaching staff who form an integral part of the education sector.
Stakeholders Put on Notice
The announcement of the impending strike has been officially communicated to all relevant stakeholders. These include:
1. The Minister of Education
2. The Minister of Employment and Labour Relations
3. The Chief Executive of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission
4. The Director General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission
5. The President of the Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF)
6. Principals of all public colleges of education
7. All local and zonal chairpersons of CENTSAG
By serving notice to these stakeholders, CENTSAG aims to highlight the urgency of their demands and ensure that the necessary actions are taken before the strike commences.
What Lies Ahead?
As the January 10 deadline approaches, the education sector is bracing for the potential impact of this industrial action. Should the strike go ahead, it is expected to disrupt administrative and operational activities in colleges of education nationwide.
For now, all eyes are on the government and relevant stakeholders to see if they will rise to the occasion and address the concerns of CENTSAG. The coming days will determine whether a resolution is reached or if the strike will become a reality.
Stay tuned for updates as this critical situation unfolds.
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