By George K. Momo
MONROVIA, Oct. 24 (LINA) – Staff of the Grand Bassa University (GBU) have embarked on a go-slow action over demands for a salary increment, bringing university operations to a standstill and further delaying the reopening of classes.
The go-slow action, which began on October 9, 2026, has lasted approximately two weeks, according to aggrieved staff members, who say they will not return to work until the university’s administration addresses their demands for improved salaries.
The action involves faculty members and support staff, including janitors and other non-academic employees, who have reportedly spent several years engaging the university’s administration in an effort to secure a salary increase.
Speaking to journalists in the county, the employees said they are frustrated by what they describe as the administration’s failure to respond positively to their concerns, adding they had decided to lay down their working tools to draw the attention of both the university administration and its Board of Trustees to their grievances.
According to reports from the county, the staff believes their repeated engagements with the administration have yielded little progress, leaving them with no option but to resort to go-slow action as a means of pressing their demands.
“Since the university has vehemently refused to see the need of increasing our salary, we have now decided to stay away from work until the needful is done by the university,” a representative of the aggrieved staff stated.
The aggrieved employees have also expressed concern over the university’s reported allocation of US$100,000 for goods and services, arguing that the funds could have been considered in addressing their demand for a salary increment.
The staff’s concerns over the allocation have added to their frustration, as they continue to call for improved compensation and a more responsive approach to their welfare.
The employees maintained that their decision to stay away from work is intended to compel the university’s leadership to take their concerns seriously after years of unsuccessful discussions.
They argued that continued engagement without a concrete outcome had left them with little confidence that the matter would be resolved without stronger action.
The staff’s go-slow action appears to have prompted renewed efforts to resolve the dispute, with the university’s Board of Trustees and administration inviting the aggrieved employees to a dialogue meeting.
The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for both parties to discuss the salary increment demands and explore possible solutions that could lead to resumption of normal university activities.
The discussions are also expected to determine whether an agreement can be reached to end the go-slow action and allow students to return to the classroom.
The outcome of the meeting remains critical to the immediate future of academic activities at the institution, as staff members have reportedly vowed to maintain their position until their concerns are addressed.
The go-slow action has compounded challenges facing Grand Bassa University, as it began approximately one week before the official opening of the school, further delaying the commencement of classes.
The staff’s absence has brought university activities to a standstill, leaving students uncertain about when academic work will resume.
“As we speak, it has brought everything to a standstill, the meeting results will inform the public as to whether school is going to open or remain as it is,” another employee stated.
The continued absence of faculty and support staff has raised concerns about the potential impact on the university’s academic calendar, particularly if negotiations fail to produce a timely resolution.
Parents and students in Grand Bassa County have meanwhile appealed to the Board of Trustees and the university’ administration to resolve the dispute amicably, warning against a prolonged disruption could further delay academic activities.
They are urging both sides to prioritize dialogue and reach an understanding that addresses the concerns of employees while protecting students’ educational interests.
The parents and students’ appeal underscore growing concern over the consequences of the dispute, particularly for students whose academic progress depends on the timely reopening of the institution.
In a related development, the university administration continues to operate from the Bassa High School campus and other secondary school facilities across the county, including the New Testament Baptist High School and the Bassa Seventh-Day Adventist High School.
The temporary relocation reportedly followed damage to the bridge leading to the university’s main campus, which has affected access to the institution’s original facilities.
According to reports, the Ministry of Public Works is working to restore the damaged bridge to facilitate the administration’s eventual return to the main campus.
The condition of the bridge and the ongoing staff dispute have presented additional challenges for the university as it seeks to resume normal operations.
While efforts to restore the bridge continue, the immediate priority remains resolving the salary dispute and determining when academic activities can resume.
For now, the reopening of Grand Bassa University remains uncertain, with students, parents, and employees awaiting the outcome of the scheduled dialogue between the university’s leadership and the aggrieved staff.
The success or failure of the negotiations could determine whether the institution returns to normal operations in the coming days or faces further disruption as the employees maintain their demand for a salary increment.