BURS Withdraws Manual Workers Recognition
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday January 16, 2017 16:07
Motshwarakgole is not amused after his Union was made to be spectators throughout the bargaining for salaries and conditions of service at the BURS, that ran from September to November, where rivals, Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU), oversaw the whole process alone.
An internal memorandum dated November 23, 2016 addressed to all the heads of divisions, general managers, regional managers and all the BURS employees and copied to the secretary general of the NALCGPWU from the Director of Human Resources at BURS Mukani Pelaelo, stated that the union was de-recognised as it does not meet the one-third threshold required in terms of Section 48(1) of the Trade Unions and Employers Organisation (TUEOA). The withdrawal of recognition means that BURS has terminated its relationship with the workers’ Union on all aspects as envisaged in terms of Section 48B(1) to (4) of TUEOA. The letter also indicated that the last month of union deductions was December 31, 2016.
“Thereafter management will stop all workers’ Union related deductions including loans sourced through the said Union. Concerned employees are therefore advised to liaise with the said union on this matter and other union related matters,” read the internal memorandum.
When contacted NALCPWU’s secretary for labour, Johnson Motshwarakgole confirmed that there is a matter related to the issue of recognition withdrawal by BURS at the Court of Appeal, which is scheduled for Tuesday(tomorrow)
According to observers, manual workers lost members to rival union, BOPEU, following the 2015 strike by BURS workers who are members of BOPEU in protest of low salary increment. NALGPWU did not join them as they were awaiting the negotiated salary restructuring to take place.