The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission has criticised the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) for comparing its allowances with those paid to university lecturers, describing the association’s accusations as unfair.
GAUA is currently taking industrial action over concerns about its conditions of service and allowances. However, the Commission says negotiations with the association have already been completed, and it has questioned the decision to draw comparisons with the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG).
Chief Executive of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, Dr. Smith Graham, said the comparison could create unnecessary tension across the labour front.
He said the Commission had held extensive discussions with GAUA and reached an agreement with the association before negotiations with UTAG were concluded.
“Frankly, the argument they are putting across is very unfair to the labour front and very unfair to everybody. First of all, we have met with them, and we have had lengthy discussions with them and concluded negotiations with them.”
Dr Graham said the Commission then completed negotiations with UTAG, and expressed surprise that GAUA had chosen to compare the two sets of allowances.
“Then it came to the time of UTAG and we concluded with UTAG. It is surprising to see when one group is doing comparison in the labour front. It is not even done.” Dr. Graham said.
The disagreement comes as GAUA continues its strike over unresolved issues connected to its conditions of service and allowances.
The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission maintains that its position on the matter is based on the discussions already held with the university administrators. It has rejected the suggestion that it failed to take steps to address GAUA’s concerns.
Although it has criticised the association’s arguments, the Commission says it is still willing to resume discussions and consider any issues that remain unresolved.
Dr Graham said the Commission was prepared to listen to the administrators and work towards addressing their grievances.
“We are ready to engage them to address their concerns.”
The Commission is urging GAUA to return to the negotiating table as efforts continue to resolve the issues behind the industrial action.
Its comments are intended to clarify that negotiations with GAUA had been concluded before the separate discussions with UTAG were completed. The Commission believes comparing the allowances of the two groups is unfair and risks creating further tension within the labour front.
GAUA’s strike remains focused on its concerns over allowances and conditions of service, while the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission continues to call for further engagement as a way of finding a resolution.
