The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1994— The Railways Artisans’ Union yesterday warned the National Railways of Zimbabwe that taking disciplinary action against its president would set artisans and the parastatal’s management on a collision course.

Reacting to an announcement by the NRZ that disciplinary action would be taken against the RAU president, Mr Wellington Chibebe, for disclosing to the Press details of a report by a committee investigating alleged irregularities in contracting work, the union said such action was tantamount to victimisation and unfairly labour practice.

In this regard, we therefore say the action that the NRZ management has chosen to take the best be described as “unfortunate”, said the secretary-general of RAU, Mr Zvavamwe Shambare.

He did not say exactly what action the union would take if the NRZ carried out its threat.

Mr Shambare said Mr Chibebe made his statement to the Press in his capacity as the President of RAU an autonomous registered and certified union.

He said the union was not governed by NRZ rules and regulations.

“Furthermore, that sub-committee was not a management thing, it was raised long back by artisans. It was forwarded to the labour officials in 1990”, said Mr Shambare.

According to Mr Shambare, a committee was set up under the chairmaship of a top official in the Ministry of Transport and Energy who could not continue the investigations.

The new committee was set up following agreements between Mr Chibebe and the NRZ General Manager , Mr Alvod Mabena.

“Therefore the union had the right to comment on the report through its president as dictated by the RAU constitution and also mandated by its national council and all the concerned artisans,” he said.