Teachers’ trade union says beginning indefinite strike today.

File photo: Teachers displaying board with grievances

The Teachers' Trade Union, known by its French acronym, SYNECAM, has announced an indefinite strike, which is set to begin today January 15. 

The information is contained in a note signed by the National Executive Bureau and handed over recently to the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute.



According to the President of SYNECAM, Edouard Essouma, they are demanding the government to address long-standing grievances affecting public primary and secondary schools across the country. 

The strike, he said, is expected to disrupt classrooms nationwide. The planned industrial action, he said, and follows months of tension between SYNECAM and the government and comes after a year of stalled negotiations.

Edouard Essouma, while speaking to a local media, expressed hopes that the notice would prompt the government to reopen negotiations. 

“We hope this notice will reopen negotiations with the government. A dialogue had begun, but we haven’t spoken in over a year,” Essouma said, stressing on the growing frustration within the union.

He is quoted as having stated that SYNECAM’s decision to revive the threat of industrial action comes in the wake of President Paul Biya’s end-of-year address on December 31. 

He recounted that Biya, in his address, assured the public that the government was committed to ongoing dialogue with unions to address their concerns. 

“We want to hold the President of the Republic to his promise. We hope the government will act quickly to avoid a strike, which could harm its credibility,” Essouma said.

 

SYNECAM’s core demands

At the heart of SYNECAM’s demands is the signing and implementation of a special status for teachers, which, they argue, is critical for the professional recognition and better working conditions of educators across the country. 

For years, the government, the union said, has promised to address the issue, but there has been little progress. SYNECAM is now hoping that the National Education Forum, scheduled to take place later this year, will bring substantial reforms to the education sector.

SYNECAM is also demanding the full payment of debts owed teachers. The trade union noted that even though government has made some progress in addressing the issue, some union members believe that the debts could be fully cleared by the end of the year. 

Observers however say the uncertainty surrounding the payments remains the bone of contention. 

 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3339 of Wednesday January 15, 2025

 

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