23 Apr 2017

It is imperative for members of the union to always acquaint themselves with current labour issues through reading and using technological platforms.
National Amalgamated Local and Central Government and Parastatal Manual Workers Union, Kgalagadi South regional office committee vice chairperson, Mr Disang Kehupetse made this plea during a consultative meeting  in Tsabong recently.

The meeting was meant to update members about the progress of the Bargaining Council on salary increase negotiations and clear misconceptions regarding the legal battle between Botswana Federation For Public Sector Trade Unions (BOFEPUSU) and government. He said by getting informed, members would be in a position to interpret issues on their own instead of hearing distorted information from unreliable sources that served to destroy the reputation of the parent  union, BOFEPUSU.

“News that affect your employment welfare always circulate  on newspapers and in social media platforms. Nowadays, we are lucky because of technologies such as Facebook and Whatsapp. I implore all of you to own gadgets that can access these platforms,” said Mr Kehupetse. 

Mr Kehupetse also admitted that their union experienced a mass exodus of members to Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) after authorities refused a three per cent hike from government a while ago.
Mr Kehupetse noted that blocking the salary increase was necessary as they believed proper procedures were not followed prior to the increment.
“Our view at BOFEPUSU  is that the input of Public Service Bargaining Council was disregarded by government.

The bargaining council should be at the forefront of salary negotiations, as such we cannot accept increment that was not bargained for,” stated Kehupetse.
The unionist informed the gathering that manual workers union leadership was currently embarking on a nationwide tour to update its members about its services and apprise about other labour challenges. Mr Kehupetse also urged members to heighten preparations for the impeding May Day celebrations.

He said this year’s version would be different because prominence would not be placed on merriment, but on introspection and future planning.
Meanwhile, the region’s vice secretary, Ms Kefilwe Mothibi reminded members that they had an obligation to safeguard the assets of the regional arm.
She stressed that the responsibility was not supposed to be rested on the shoulders of the incumbent committee alone.

Ms Mothibi also appealed to members that had policies and schemes with the unions to always track every transaction that took place in their respective accounts. end