The Tertiary Education Workers Union of Ghana (TEWU-GH) has declared an indefinite strike, effective today, July 3, 2025, over issues surrounding their representation on governing councils of public universities.
The industrial action today follows the expiry of a seven-day ultimatum issued to relevant authorities on June 24 to resolve the matter.
TEWU-GH describes as “egregious and unjustifiable” the recognition of the minority union, TEWU-TUC, as the official workers’ representative on the Governing Councils of Traditional Public Universities.
The group says the decision disregards TEWU-GH’s majority membership and legitimate claim to representation on the governing councils.
TEWU-GH has thus condemned the move, highlighting the failure of the relevant authorities to provide any satisfactory explanation or resolution.
The union, in a strong worded statement, cited the decision of “blatantly disregarding democratic principles and the rights of the majority union”.
The agitating group stated the neglect by authorities triggered the move to take “drastic and immediate action” to uphold fairness, transparency, and democracy in tertiary education governance.
The union says its demands remain clear and non-negotiable: The immediate and unconditional withdrawal of TEWU-TUC’s appointment as workers’ representative on university governing councils.
The union also called for an urgent directive from the Ministers of Labour, Jobs and Employment and Education for the Chief Labour Officer to verify which union — TEWU-GH or TEWU-TUC — truly represents the majority of workers, in line with the Labour Regulations 2007 (L.I. 1833). TEWU-GH insists this verification “would bring the matter to a final and just conclusion”.
To ensure fairness, TEWU-GH further called for the establishment of “a transparent, democratic, and verifiable process” to determine union representation across tertiary institutions.
According to the union, that will ensure governance structures reflect the voice of the majority.
TEWU-GH appealed to fellow labour unions, stakeholders, and all well-meaning Ghanaians to stand in solidarity, emphasising that “only through collective support can the rights and interests of tertiary education workers be protected — safeguarding industrial harmony across the Traditional Public Universities.”
TEWU-GH went on to invoke the powers vested in it under its constitution and the Labour Act 2003 (Act 651), saying its strike is constitutional.
TEWU-GH, has therefore, called on all members to “participate fully, adhere strictly to strike guidelines, and unite in solidarity” to press for their legitimate rights.
Source: Myxyzonline.com
