The Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union under the Trades Union Congress (TEWU-TUC) has criticised the breakaway group, TEWU-GH, over its strike action amid an ongoing representation dispute.
The strike, which took effect on July 3 following a seven-day ultimatum that expired on June 24, 2025, centres on TEWU-GH’s demand for representation on the governing councils of traditional public universities.
However, TEWU-TUC insists the action is not only unjustified but also a clear violation of existing labour laws and union protocols.
TEWU-GH has argued that its majority membership gives it the rightful claim to such representation.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, the General Secretary of TEWU-TUC, King James Azortibah, maintained that TEWU-GH’s strike lacks any legal foundation.
“They know they are wasting their time and there is no legal backing. How can you strike just because you don’t have council representation? Is it part of the conditions of service? Is it part of collective bargaining? It is not,” he stated.
He added that meetings on the issue have been ongoing since TEWU-GH broke away from the mother union last year.
“From 2020 to 2024, TEWU did not sit in council because of such internal issues. TEWU-TUC has been in existence since 1962, and someone cannot just wake up one day to claim representation simply because they are a tertiary union,” he said.
Mr. Azortibah reaffirmed TEWU-TUC’s position as the only legally mandated union to represent educational workers in public universities, citing a letter from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) dated August 2, 2023.
He further accused TEWU-GH of creating confusion and attempting to usurp legal authority without the necessary recognition or credentials.
“They used intimidation to hijack TEWU-TUC members, but they know it won’t take them anywhere. They don’t have any conditions of service and rely on TEWU-TUC for negotiations, which are currently due with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission. I have invited them, but I know this group will not even start because internal fights have begun,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mr. Azortibah has urged TEWU-TUC members across the country to remain calm and not be swayed by what he described as “diversionary antics” from the breakaway faction.
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