Teachers end strike Major trade unions urge return to work
THE Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) and the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), which had insisted on their members striking despite other teachers’ unions calling off job action to give dialogue a chance following a raft of measures by Government, have finally called an end to the labour stand-off.
The two unions are now urging their members to return to work starting today.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Professor Paul Mavima yesterday met the teachers unions and reiterated Government’s commitment to improving the lives of teachers and implementing non-monetary initiatives, most of which have been in the pipeline for a long.
Addressing at a press conference after yesterday’s meeting — an extended dialogue from last Friday — Zimta national president Mr Richard Gundane said they had called for an industrial action which commenced on February 5 demanding their employer to review the conditions of employment for their members.
“Noting that the strike was a success and having been joined by over 80 percent of our members across the country. Realising that the impact of the strike has invited reactions and responses from two arms of the State that is the Executive and the Legislature. . .
“Committed to ensuring the delivery of quality public education as well as the need to have dignified remuneration and better lives for our members and their families. . .
“Reserving the right to regroup, re-strategise, engage and prepare for other disabling and extensive forms of industrial action should our members needs remain unattended. We, therefore, we declare that; the industrial action which commenced on the 5th of February 2019 is hereby suspended.
“Our members who were on industrial action must therefore report for work commencing Monday the 11th of February 2019 and wait for further commands and direction and fully operational by Tuesday the 2th of February 2019. Our members will remain vigilant, active, mobilising and defensive of their constitutional given rights for the furtherance of their welfare and professional needs,” said Mr Gundane.
He added: “The employer is thus advised to take advantage of this détente to introspect and come up with well thought-out, meaningful and long lasting solutions on the salaries grievances or risk similar of more dislocating and disabling collective labour actions in accordance with the laws of the land.”
PTUZ secretary general Mr Raymond Majongwe said: “I think it is with a heavy heart that the teachers unions have conceded to taking this position of suspending the strike but nonetheless we are happy on two fronts that there is positive and active engagement that involves the Ministry of Education led by Professor Mavima as well as the Public Service Commission.
“Underscoring the most important point that there is going to be an urgent meeting between the teachers unions as well as the Public Service Commission and other Government bodies and entities to try and find a quick solution to the challenges that the teachers are facing.”
He said the reality on the ground was that teachers were raising pertinent issues of incapacitation, poverty and salaries.