The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) is alleging that some officers at the National Labour Commission (NLC) have conspired to break up the union.

NAGRAT President Kwame Alorvi said this is being done to make sure that there is only one association representing the interests of Ghanaian teachers – possibly the Ghana National Association of Teacher (GNAT).

“The posture of the commission has been to ignore our grievances if they hear of it but when there is strike they come to tell you that your strike is illegal,” Mr Alorvi told Joy News’ Elvis Adjetey.

“The labour commission has some elements within its fold who are desperately trying to see to the demise of NAGRAT so that the union they have either once fathered and, or preferred, will enjoy a monopoly at the labour front. While some of such elements and their political collaborators have been eliminated by God’s own master plan, some others have again managed to worm themselves into the commission, thanks to their benefactors,” he added.

At the press conference in Accra, NAGRAT accused the NLC of “only performing half of their function,” and suggested the commission is failing to represent the interest of the association.

“As far as NAGRAT is concerned, the National Labour Commission has itself become a source of labour disputes in this country. The commission, again as far as NAGRAT is concerned, has done practically nothing to investigate labour-related complaints and to take such steps necessary to prevent future disputes when such complaints come from NAGRAT,” the association said.

NAGRAT also chided the NLC for “whipping up public sentiments against the association” ahead of a meeting with the association.

The association also denied suggestions by the NLC that it held a press conference in Sunyani at which it threatened a strike.

“Assuming however that the report is true we commend the commission on its quick action,” NAGRAT said.

NAGRAT ended its press conference making a number of demands on government including prompt payment of invigilation fees, car maintenance allowances which, according to the association, has been reduced from GH¢40 to GH¢7.

The association is also pushing for promotion interviews to be conducted periodically for teachers as this has ceased since the beginning of the year.

However, head of Public Relations of the Commission Mohammed Affum denied the accusations saying the work of the commission is there for all to see.

He said the commission would respond appropriately if served with a written copy of the accusation.
Story by Fiifi Koomson and Elvis Adjetey/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana