BOPEU rejects BOFEPUSU
Innocent Selatlhwa | Thursday April 6, 2017 16:26
BOPEU president Masego Mogwera told Mmegi that her leadership would not reverse the decision to quit BOFEPUSU, which was taken under the leadership of Andrew Motsamai. This came after BOFEPUSU president Johannes Tshukudu told a media briefing that they were hoping Mogwera’s leadership would reconsider joining BOFEPUSU.
“It was a mandate of the BOPEU congress that we leave the federation based on the differences we had at the time. The leadership cannot decide to rejoin the federation,” she said in a telephone interview yesterday.
Mogwera said they are not bothered by the judgement that interdicted Government from increasing salaries by four percent.
“We are the biggest winners. Our members got three percent ‘gift’ last year and BOFEPUSU members will never have it. We will get any increment they will get at the Public Service Bargaining Council (PSBC),” she said.
She also said they stand a better chance to be in the PSBC than BOFEPUSU as the federation depends only on Manual Workers Union for meeting the PSBC admission threshold. She said it is a matter of time before BOPEU is admitted into the PSBC, hence no need to enter into any relationship with BOFEPUSU.
Tshukudu had told the media that they hope with the exit of Motsamai, Mogwera would consider rejoining the federation.
“We are looking to engage the new BOPEU leadership with hope that they will want to do things differently and we can work together for the greater benefit of workers,” Tshukudu told a press briefing yesterday.
Tshukudu said they did not want BOPEU to leave and would welcome them so that they can effectively represent their members at the PSBC.
Still at the press conference, BOFEPUSU deputy secretary general, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa said the International Labour Day commemorations will be held in Jwaneng on May 1. Also, said Motshegwa, the federation will, in two weeks’ time, start countrywide rallies to consult their members on the current happenings.
Motshegwa also said the Government will appear before the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for violation of workers rights. The federation had reported to ILO, amongst other things, that the Government has forced almost all employees to be essential service.