BOSETU to dump BFTU, join BOFEPUSU

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Tuesday August 3, 2010 00:00

 

Information reaching Mmegi is that BOSETU governing council resolved to formally join Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) over the weekend at its meeting in Gaborone.

BOSETU, a member of Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) joins a rival federation of the former (BFTU) at a time when the teachers union has suspended its activism and subscriptions to the BFTU. On the other hand the two federations have an acrimonious relationship.

In an interview with Mmegi yesterday, BOSETU spokesman Mogomotsi Motshegwa said they would be joining BOFEPUSU mainly for purposes of collective bargaining, which 'is a vital apparatus for our members. As a union of purpose you should be in a fertile position to bargain for your members. To us this includes conditions of work, housing and others,' he said.

When pressed to explain what will happen to their relationship with BFTU, which has been edgy recently Motshegwa said the BOSETU special congress will decide this month-end  'whether we continue with two federations or we drop one of them.'

BOSETU and some public sector unions have been engaged in a working relationship with BOFEPUSU for sometime negotiating with government, especially over the new Public Service Act. Meanwhile the BFTU has been trying to get the teachers union to withdraw its boycott (on subscriptions and activism in the federation).

BOSETU's Motshegwa said because the two federations engage in bargaining for members the congress will decide 'whether it is necessary to continue with the BFTU when we can bargain from BOFEPUSU.' He said.

When contacted for comment, BFTU secretary general Gadzani Mhotsha said they will not question the decision of the teachers union governing council.

'If their governing council has powers to decide to take decisions on whether to join BOFEPUSO and dump the BFTU, who are we to challenge them? I am wondering why they want the (BOSETU special) congress to discuss the matter of whether to dump or continue with BFTU when they have already decided that they are joining BOFEPUSU,' said Mhotsha.