Stalled CBU negotiations irk unions

THE Copperbelt University (CBU) has been accused of stalling the 2021 negotia tions because they wanted to deny workers’ rights, the workers’ unions have complained.

The workers from the three workers' union at the CBU said the decision by the man agement to stall the 2021 ne gotiations was a clear indica tion that they wanted to deny workers' rights and bring cha os at the institution.

The workers were speaking in a statement signed by CBU Allied and Workers Union (CBUAWU) General Secretary Fernando Fulwe, CBU Academics Union (CBUAU) Deputy General Secretary Musonda Kabaso and CBU Senior Administrative, Professional Technical Staff Union (CUSATSU) acting General Secretary Chengo Musonda.

Mr Fulwe said the three unions were extremely dis appointed in the way CBU management has been delay ing to conclude the 2021 nego tiations for improved salaries and conditions of service as provided by the law.

"We are deeply concerned by the failure of CBU manage ment acting on behalf of the University Council to conclude the 2021 negotiations for im proved salaries and conditions of service for the workers. This is a matter of great concern because the law provides for bargaining for conditions of service.

"However, CBU manage ment has been deliberately de laying conclusion of the 2021 negotiations. The decision by the management at the CBU to stall 2021 negotiations was a clear indication that the management wanted to deny workers' rights and bring chaos at the institution,'' Mr Fulwe said. Mr Fulwe said the public may wish to know that in the last quarter of 2020, the unions were requested to submit their demands in readiness for the bargaining process which was supposed to have been concluded before the end of 2020.

In April 2021, he said the stakeholder unions remind ed management to open up the delayed 2021 negotia tions, however, management responded that the govern ment had not given them parameters to commence negotiations. "In June 2021, Government directed all pub lic universities to negotiate as separate entities within their internally generated resources which CBU management in their usual stubborn fashion has terribly failed to honour.

"On 3rd and 9th September 2021, we had a meeting with management in which we were informed that a joint uni versity council committee had been formed to go and meet government.

"The negotiations were supposed to be concluded in two weeks’ time after a meeting with government. Unfortunately, this manage ment remained mute with out any communication,'' Mr Fulwe said.