TEWU-TUC Threatens to Disrupt Operations of Public Universities Over GTEC’s Recognition of Rival Union

The Teachers and Educational Workers Union under the Trade Union Congress (TEWU-TUC) has announced plans to disrupt operations in all public universities across the country in protest against the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission’s (GTEC) recognition of a rival union, TEWU-GH.

According to TEWU-TUC, GTEC’s official dealings with TEWU-GH — a splinter group that broke away from the original union — constitutes an unlawful endorsement that undermines the constitutional rights of TEWU-TUC and the unity of workers in the public tertiary education sector.

In a strongly worded press release, the union leadership accused GTEC of attempting to divide and weaken worker solidarity, warning that if immediate steps are not taken to rescind the recognition, their members will withdraw services in all public universities nationwide.

“We view this as a direct attack on the credibility of TEWU-TUC and the rights of our members. GTEC is overstepping its mandate by engaging with a breakaway group that lacks legal standing,” said Mark Dankyira Korankye, General Secretary of TEWU-TUC.

The union further stated that its members remain committed to peaceful dialogue but will not hesitate to act if GTEC fails to recognize its long-standing legitimacy as the official representative body for non-teaching staff in public universities.

The looming standoff has sparked concerns among university administrators and students, with the potential for major disruptions to administrative and academic operations, especially as institutions prepare for end-of-semester examinations and admissions.

TEWU-GH, on the other hand, maintains it is a legally constituted entity, formed in response to internal disagreements within TEWU-TUC. GTEC has yet to issue a formal response to the threats from TEWU-TUC.

Stakeholders are calling on the Ministry of Education and the National Labour Commission to intervene swiftly to prevent an escalation that could affect the stability of the country’s public tertiary education system.