Accra, July 21, GNA - The Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG) have accepted the 22 per cent salary increase the Government offered them, which they previously rejected. The two unions soften their position after lengthy negotiations with Vice Chancellors Ghana (VCG), an association of heads of State-owned universities.

The effective date for payment of arrears is April 2005 and would be made at end of August 2005.

The Chairman of the University of Ghana branch of TEWU, Mr Peter Lumor observed that VCG was creating a class distinction among workers in the country's universities by encouraging wide disparities in the salaries of lecturers and other workers of the universities. Mr Lumor, who was addressing a large crowd of the members of TEWU/FUSSAG at the University of Ghana Campus, said this class segregation would not enhance the development of the entire universities in Ghana.

He said TEWU would be bargaining with the University Management in September to factor salary increases into the next year's budget. The Chairman of FUSSAG, Mr Kyei Baffour appealed to the workers of TEWU and FUSSAG to accept the 22 per cent salary increase in good faith awaiting the September negotiations.