NOTU warns gov't to go slow on striking teachers

Trade unions under the umbrella body of the National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) have threatened to lay down their tools and join the striking teachers if government does not withdraw the letter written to teachers instructing them to go back to class before June 24.

Yesterday the permanent secretary in the ministry of Public Service wrote a letter giving teachers up to 24^th of this month to report to their duty station without fail or else they will be regarded as having abandoned duty or resigned.

The letter also asked those not willing to work under the prevailing conditions to withdraw their labor.

NOTU said the letter does not serve any purpose.

"We would like to call upon the ministry of Public Service to withdraw this ugly letter. This letter does not serve any purpose in this country. It only serves to bring instability because no teacher is going back to work," said Musa Okello the vice chairperson of NOTU.

Okello said government should amicably resolve teachers’ grievances basing on the collective bargaining agreement they signed instead of threatening them.

Usher Wilson Owere the NOTU Chairman General said they will individually deal with Chief Administration Officers and town clerks who are threatening the striking teachers especially in the upcountry areas.

Meanwhile UNATU maintains that the teachers’ industrial action is still ongoing and they will not heed to intimidation because their industrial action is lawful. UNATU has written to the ministry of public service confirming their stand and also remind them of the Collective Bargaining Agreement which was signed in 2018 and the clauses there in.

UNATU says they are ready to offer legal services in case any striking teacher needs them, and called upon them to maintain their stand.