The University Academic Staff Association (UASA) has decided to suspend the 21-day notice for industrial action originally issued on November 18, 2023.
The notice was addressed to authorities at all public tertiary institutions, citing delays in addressing critical welfare issues for staff.*
Following numerous engagements with key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Technical Higher Education, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Tertiary Education Commission, and the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Technical and Higher Education and University Administrations, no concrete solutions were reached.
In recognition of the national situation, UASA has opted to defer the industrial action until the end of February 2024, contingent upon the fulfillment of specific conditions:
1. Newly upgraded institutions must provide letters of appointment and initiate salary payments to staff in line with their upgraded status.
2. Full implementation of the 2022-2024 Revised and Harmonised Conditions of Service for Senior Academic and Administrative Staff of Public Tertiary Institutions.
3. Suspension of the new criteria for promotions until a conducive environment is established.
4. Implementation of a 58% basic salary adjustment.
5. Uniform application of Rent and Medical Allowances across all public higher educational institutions, aligning with agreements reached by University of Sierra Leone, Njala University, and Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology.
While the union acknowledges interventions and proposals made to address some concerns, it expresses dismay at the continuous intimidation of the Academic Staff Association of Milton Margai Technical University by the Vice Chancellor and Principal. UASA urges the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education to intervene and permanently resolve the issue.
Dr. Brima Gegbe, President of UASA, emphasizes that if the outlined concerns are not addressed by the end of February 2024, no further notice will be given for industrial action.
The union hopes for a prompt resolution to avoid any disruptions and remains open to dialogue.
