[ 2012-05-28 ]

POTAG resumes strike today
Polytechnic Teachers in Ghana resume their
suspended strike today following what they
describe as the lackadaisical attitude on the part
of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to
complete their migration onto the Single Spine
Salary Structure (SSSS).

In a press statement signed by the General
Secretary for the Association, Oswald Atiga on
Sunday, POTAG said of the 25 functions they
perform, they are suspending only three which are
teaching, project supervision, and invigilation of
examinations.

They further indicated that their members shall
only return to classroom when the single spine
salary hits members' accounts.

Below is the full statement:

RESUMPTION OF SUSPENDED STRIKE
The Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana
(POTAG) wishes to bring to your attention its
displeasure and dissatisfaction at the feet
dragging pace at which issues pertaining to the
final stages of its migration to the single spine
are being handled hence have resumed their
suspended strike action effective May 28,2012
until the single spine hits members accounts.

Out of the 25 functions we perform, we are
suspending teaching, project supervision and
invigilation of Examinations.

The reasons for our dissatisfaction are as
follows:
1. Under the auspices of CORP, i.e. the
Conference of Rectors of Polytechnics, all
Polytechnic Finance Officers, their Payroll
officers, the entire Leadership of POTAG, and
representatives from FWSC met at EXCELSA HOTEL in
Kumasi from the 11th to the 13th of April, 2012 to
conclude the mapping exercise, a crucial component
of the migration process on to the single spine.
The mapping process was concluded and the data
subsequently handed over to the FWSC for further
scrutiny on the 14th of April, 2012. Our
membership was expectant that they could
receive their first Single Spine Salary by the
end of April, 2012 but it was explained that May
2012 looked practically feasible, a message which
POTAG hesitantly accepted.

2. On the 2nd of May 2012, i.e. two (2) weeks
after the FWSC had received the data, the
Leadership of POTAG made a follow up to the
offices of the FWSC. It was there and then that
the Leadership was told to provide fresh bio-data
of our entire membership across the ten (10)
Polytechnics to the Commission by the 8th of May,
2012 which we duly complied with. In deed we sat
there for almost 3hours for that Letter to be
written to us.

3. The National Leadership of POTAG was
subsequently surprised to hear a false news report
on Joy FM at its 6 o’clock a.m. news bulletin on
the 14th of May, 2012 to the effect that the FWSC
had received bio-data for only 5 Polytechnic. Upon
a follow-up to the offices of the FWSC again on
the same 14th of May, 2012 the FWSC shockingly
acknowledged having received the data from all ten
(10)Polytechnics and indicated that the news
carried in the morning by the radio station was
false. The Commission even demonstrated its
commitment to retract the story
and correct the impression created. Subsequently
an understanding was reached between POTAG and the
Commission that POTAG members would receive their
first single spine salary by the end of May 2012
though it would be delayed for 2 or more weeks.
This information was subsequently communicated to
our members.

4. The leadership of POTAG then followed up to the
Ministry of Finance that same day and met with
Dr.Alhassan Iddrisu, Director of Real Sector
Division,who after a few calls re-iterated the
Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning’s
resolve to expedite the payment of the single
spine salaries of Polytechnic Teachers by the end
of May 2012 but acknowledged it would delay. This
understanding was duly communicated to our
membership. Members have remained expectant,
knowing a delayed single spine salary for May 2012
was guaranteed.

5. Upon a request from the Controller and
Accountant General’s Department, POTAG even gave
its consent to the anticipated delay in the
payment of May 2012 salary through a letter to the
Controller and Accountant General’s Department
(CAGD, dated 23rd May, 2012.

6. Information received by POTAG leadership from
the Deputy Controller (FMS) at the Controller and
Accountant General’s Department indicate that the
final authorization from the Ministry of Finance
had not come and so old salaries will still be
paid for the month of May 2012. We particularly
take exception to this because it contravenes the
understanding we had with the Ministry of Finance
and
Economic Planning (MOFEP), FWSC and the CAGD.

7. The information that old salaries will be paid
for the month of May 2012 has caused irreparable
anxiety among our members. There is a general
feeling among our members of a calculated attempt
on the part of all these institutions above
mentioned to unnecessarily and unduly delay the
payment of the new salaries to our members.

8. Reliable information even available to POTAG
indicates that members will not even get their
single spine salaries by June. At an emergency
Congress of POTAG, it was resolved as follows:

a. That POTAG members are still waiting for their
new salaries for the month of May 2012 even if it
will take them 2 to 3 weeks to prepare.

b. That POTAG has provided all the necessary
information needed for a successful migration and
is not ready for this cat and mouse game.

c. POTAG is by this press release informing you
that we are resuming our
suspended strike action and members shall only
return to the classroom when the single spine
salary hits members accounts.

Source - Citifmonline

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