The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) of Sierra Leone is encouraging teachers to turn up for work and be in classrooms as they are exploring all legal and appropriate channel to resolve their demand.
The commission said in statement on Wednesday, June 1,2022 that negotiations between the Sierra Leone Teachers Union and the government of Sierra Leone is in process, noting that the 21 days strike notice issued by the Union does not translate into a strike action.
It should be noted that the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) in a letter dated May 27, 2022, which was addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), noted that “after nationwide consultation with its members and the failure of the Government of Sierra Leone to increase their salaries and improved conditions they thereby issued a 21-day strike notice” .
SLTU also stated that if their employer failed to meet their demand, they would resort to an industrial action at the end of the 21-day strike action.
According to SLTU, their 21-day strike action is premised on the apparent negligence and lack of seriousness of the Employers Panel of the Teaching Service Trade Group Negotiating Council (TSTGNC).
SLTU said at the inaugural meeting with the panel on May 5, 2022, the panel asked for a break of three weeks to look into the collective agreement proposals put forward by SLTU even though it was accepted under difficult circumstances.
SLTU said that even though teachers are considered drivers to attainment of the objectives of the Government Free Quality Education Programme, they were dismayed at the irritating response from their employer as they also failed to make any offer relating to the proposal on salaries and allowances for teachers.
By George M.O. Williams