Takoradi — Members of the Takoradi Polytechnic chapter of the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG), on Tuesday embarked on a sit-down strike action, leaving all class rooms at the Polytechnic virtually empty.

The association had contended before embarking on the strike action that several attempts by the members to get the attention of the management of the Polytechnic to clear outstanding allowances owed them had failed, and the only option left for them to press home their demand, was to embark on a strike action.

Though the association has still not resumed work, the action is reportedly receiving cold reception by some of the lecturers, as the local POTAG is sharply divided over the issue. Those who are against the strike, think resorting to dialogue was the best option, but the majority decided otherwise, and their decision was carried out.

The strike action took the polytechnic by surprise, as the various campuses of the school became virtually empty on Tuesday, and presently the management of the Polytechnic is tightlipped over the matter.

The local President of POTAG, Mr. Micah, in a telephone interview with the paper, confirmed the strike action, and indicated that it was meant to press home the demandfor their unpaid allowances.

Initially, he declined to comment on the subject when contacted, saying, "We have decided not to speak to the press," but quickly jumped in to say "We are never divided over the action, it was a majority decision," when he was told about the alleged division among the lecturers over the issue.

Mr. Micah told The Chronicle that although they had already taken the decision to embark on the strike action without announcing when they would resume work, the management of the Polytechnic, after realising the repercussions, called for another meeting to discuss the matter, which is today.

Interestingly, when the Treasurer of the Polytechnic chapter of POTAG, Mr. Thomas Cudjoe, was also contacted, he sharply contradicted his President insisting, "To be honest with you, I have no idea about the strike action. I have no idea at all," he stressed.