The Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) of TUC (Ghana) has given the government and education authorities a two-week ultimatum to address what it describes as persistent discrimination, poor working conditions and other labour-related concerns affecting non-teaching staff across the education sector.
The Union warned that failure to resolve its eight key demands within the two-week period could result in industrial action.
In a statement issued on Friday, August 14, TEWU cited delayed remuneration, unfair labour practices, limited career progression, inadequate recognition and severe staff shortages among the challenges confronting its members.
“Despite the essential roles that non-teaching staff in educational institutions play, these workers continue to face discrimination, delayed payment of remuneration, unfair labour practices, inadequate recognition, limited career progression and poor working conditions,” the Union stated.
Outstanding Overtime Allowances
A major concern raised by TEWU is the non-payment of outstanding overtime allowances owed to watchmen and security personnel within the Ghana Education Service (GES).
The Union said the affected workers routinely work during weekends and public holidays to ensure the continued operation and security of schools but have not received the compensation due to them.
TEWU is demanding the immediate payment of all outstanding overtime allowances accrued over the years.
Promotion and Career Progression
The Union is also demanding the decoupling of ranks from positions within the GES to enable non-teaching staff to progress to their substantive ranks without being restricted by positional appointments.
It specifically wants the Chief grade within the GES to be fully decoupled from positional appointments and recognised as a substantive grade.
According to TEWU, the change would help address promotion bottlenecks and reduce career stagnation among non-teaching staff.
The Union is further demanding the immediate introduction and payment of responsibility allowances for Unit Heads who undertake additional supervisory and administrative duties.
TEWU rejected claims that the allowances have already been consolidated into the basic salaries of affected workers.
Conditions of Service and Recruitment
TEWU is also calling for the full implementation of the negotiated Conditions of Service for non-teaching staff of the GES.
The Union particularly objected to any attempt to alter the agreed annual leave provisions in a manner that would worsen the conditions of its members.
“Any attempt by GES Management to alter the benefits in our Conditions of Service in a manner that worsens our working conditions will be resisted,” TEWU warned.
The Union is also demanding adequate financial clearance from the government to facilitate the recruitment of non-teaching personnel across educational institutions.
It said persistent staff shortages had left existing workers overstretched and created stressful working conditions, with some members reportedly suffering serious health consequences and, in some cases, deaths.
TEWU therefore called for urgent recruitment to address the staffing gaps.
Operational Allowance and Representation
Another major demand concerns the 5 per cent Operational Allowance for eligible junior staff of public and technical universities, the Ghana Library Authority and the Museums and Emoluments Board.
TEWU said the allowance was agreed under the relevant Conditions of Service and was expected to take effect in February 2026.
The Union is demanding payment of six months’ arrears following what it described as a unilateral change in the implementation date from February to July 2026.
TEWU is also opposing proposed changes to its representation on the governing councils of universities and colleges of education.
According to the Union, some institutions, with the endorsement of the Ministry of Education, are seeking to replace TEWU representation with separate “Junior Staff” and “Senior Staff” representatives.
The Union argues that such a move undermines its status as a recognised trade union representing different categories of workers within the education sector.
TEWU further alleged that the Minister of Education proceeded with changes relating to the University for Development Studies (UDS) Act despite a directive from President John Dramani Mahama to suspend such action.
Call for Equal Treatment
TEWU’s final demand is for an end to what it considers discriminatory treatment of non-teaching staff in areas including promotion, remuneration, annual leave, healthcare, welfare, professional development and access to opportunities.
The Union stressed that non-teaching personnel are an integral part of the education system and should not be treated as secondary workers.
“Fairness must be mutual and must apply equally to all categories of workers within the education sector because we are partners in the field,” it stated.
The two-week ultimatum took effect on August 14 and has been directed at key stakeholders, including the Minister of Finance, Minister of Education, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), university managements and the Ghana Education Service.
TEWU said it had already engaged the GES, GTEC and some university managements over its concerns but maintained that the grievances had not received adequate attention.
“Failure to address the above issues will compel members of TEWU to advise themselves accordingly,” the Union warned.
The statement leaves open the possibility of industrial action if the government and relevant education authorities fail to address the concerns within the two-week period.
