NLC orders striking university staff unions to resume work immediately

The National Labour Commission (NLC) has directed three university staff unions to immediately suspend their strike action, citing violations of Ghana’s Labour Act.

In a letter dated May 21, 2025, the Commission invoked Section 139(1)(d) of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), ordering the Senior Staff Association – Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), the Technical University Administrators Association of Ghana (TUAAG), and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG) to end their industrial action.

The directive follows a strike notice served on the Commission on May 12, over claims of the government’s failure to implement agreed conditions of service. A formal agreement between the unions and the government was signed on November 12, 2024.

The NLC summoned all parties for a hearing on May 21, 2025. While FUSSAG and TUAAG attended, SSA-UoG was absent. Representatives from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), and the Ministry of Finance were also present.

Despite the Commission’s directive to hold off on the strike pending resolution, the unions defied the order and proceeded with industrial action. The NLC referenced a joint press release issued by the unions on the same day, announcing an indefinite strike in protest of what they described as the government’s continued breach of the agreement.

Consequently, the Commission has declined to hear the matter further, invoking Section 161 of the Labour Act, which prohibits the adjudication of disputes if the parties are engaged in an illegal strike.

The NLC has advised the unions to call off the strike and formally notify the Commission before any further steps can be taken.