Why is BOPEU dividing workers
Correspondent | Friday April 7, 2017 17:17
It was not my intention to react to such a statement, however, I feel obliged to do so because the statement in its entirety is not only misleading, but it is also misplaced and a disgrace to BOPEU family (Members).
BOPEU, the union of choice claim in the statement issued that, in its mission it jealousy advocates for the rights of its members and if that is true. I find it too remiss of the Union leadership to consider unilateral decision to adjustment of salaries and conditions of employment outside a duly constituted bargaining structure to be a gesture of goodwill from the state.
No reasonable and right-minded worker, including BOPEU members will ever consider adjustment of their salaries and cushioning of their conditions of employment outside the bargaining council and through unlawful means as a gesture of goodwill.
My view is that, salary adjustment and any matter relating to improved conditions of employment of the working class is a matter of consultation and negotiations and nothing else.
BOPEU leadership is currently behaving like a State Agent and is pursuing the agenda of the employer at will and under the pretext of the union and its general membership.
Formation of BOFEPUSU
When champions and founding fathers of various labour unions, known as the big five, form Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU), the working class was convinced that their liberalisation was assured and that, the formation of the Public Sector Federation was done in good faith and its primary purpose was to organize Public Sector employees under one roof to speak with one solid voice.
Workers did not know that, it was the evil spirit of power and money, which was driving the desire for the formation of BOFEPUSU by some self-seeking individuals in leadership positions.
The society and the working class must note that the endless and costly litigations between parties at the Public Service Bargaining Counci (PSBC) are because of the former BOPEU president bootlicking tactics and insecurity at the bargaining council.
It is a well-known fact that BOPEU, was affiliated to BOFEPUSU at the bargaining forum, and was as a matter of procedure, a member in good standing of the PSBC.
However, the union by order of its self-centered former president opted out of the marriage and the council without any valid reasons and thus causing the current chaos.
Any protracted impasse emanating from and relating to issues of labour between government and Public Sector Unions’ bargaining forum(BOFEPUSU) are fueled by BOPEU leadership and is even hurting BOPEU members who are in serious debts.
BOPEU core mandate
BOPEU has divorced its core mandate of being the champion for righteousness, the voice of the under-privileged workers representing the workers. Many workers and particularly BOPEU members in the low and middle-income group are working under unbearable conditions of service.
There is a general believe that, the central thrust of government role in Industrial Relations is to disengage from communication, consultation and interaction with parties to Industrial relations, especially on labour side and thus weaken trade unions.
We must all remember the 2011 National Strike as a chapter that created a change and opportunity for robust economic management and equal sharing of the country’s wealth by all and in particular, by the creators of such wealth (workers) which the union leaders have now divorced.
My view is that, organised labour uses the macro-economic influence as strategy within labour relations processes to agitate and advocate for social justice and democratic change and this can only be achieve by workers when they are united and not divided - unity is strength.
Unions are private organisations of employees set up for the express purpose of regulating the labour market and are formed to look after their members and improve the conditions under which they live and work and not to serve as State Agents.
Collective bargaining
BOPEU leadership must acknowledge and appreciate that collective bargaining is much more than just a mechanism for pay determination; it is also a process of regulating the management authority at the shop floor (workplace) and thus provide employees with a means of participating in joint decision-making process particularly with regard to other issues.
The liberalisation of wage bargaining through the establishment of (PSBC) in 2012, which BOPEU is suppressing, is the only alternative remedy to the plight of the working class. More can be achieve when unions are united and speak with one voice as a labour front.
It is the legal duty of union leaders to address defects in labour laws and ensure holistic review of all legislations that underpins labor relations than to fight for supreme.
‘’The possibility that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a Couse we believe to be just’’- Abraham Lincoln
PS: These are personal views and comments of the author and are not of any Union, Federation or Institution with which he may be a member with good standing.
Oaitse Patle is a reformist unionist based in Gaborone. E-mail opatle@gov.bw or whatsup@73895263.