Three major university staff unions have called off their planned strike action, initially scheduled for Friday, 9 August, following a government decision to extend the upward adjustment of the vehicle maintenance allowance (VMA) to their members.
The unions affected by this decision are the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), the Federation of Senior Staff Associations of Ghana (FUSSAG), and the Teachers and Educational Workers Union of Trade Union Congress (TEWU-TUC).
In a joint statement, the unions expressed their appreciation for the government’s prompt intervention, viewing it as a move towards greater fairness and equity.
“We are grateful to the Government for addressing our concerns and restoring the VMA for our members,” a union spokesperson stated. “This decision reflects a willingness to work with us to resolve outstanding issues and improve our working conditions.”
However, the unions have urged the government to ensure that the VMA adjustment applies to all categories of Senior Staff at public universities without any eligibility restrictions.
“It is only fair that all members benefit from this adjustment, as everyone contributes to the advancement of Public Universities,” the statement emphasized.
The unions have assured their members of ongoing engagement with the government and other stakeholders to improve working conditions further.
The statement concluded, “We remain committed to building a better future for Public Universities in Ghana and will keep our members informed of any new developments.”
