General News of Tuesday, 16 April 2013

Source: XYZ

UTAG suspends strike

XYZ News can report on authority that striking University Lecturers have suspended their strike.

The two-week old strike was started by the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), to demand the payment of its members’ salary arrears which have accrued since 2012.

A meeting between UTAG, Vice Chancellors Ghana and the Education Ministry on Monday April 15 resulted in the lecturers softening their stance and suspending the strike.

A memorandum of understanding was signed among the parties committing them to a roadmap and schedule for the payment of the salary arrears.

UTAG is expected to announce the suspension of the strike at a news conference later.

The suspension of the strike follows numerous pleas from the clergy, civil society, student unions and Vice Chancellors as well as Chancellors of various universities for an end to the industrial action.

For instance, the Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, Alhaji Asuma Banda recently warned that students who are idling about as a result of the strike could be pushed into prostitution, armed robbery and other fraudulent activities if the lecturers did not return to the classroom soon.