Workers solidarity on display

IKE VAVI
Correspondent | Friday September 17, 2010 00:00

The parking spaces in and around the Civic Centre are fully occupied. This includes those that are on the other side of this city administration.

The flags of the city council and the nation blow from one side to the other by the wind as if they sense the tense atmosphere that is prevailing in this place for now.

The trees that add to the beauty of this area are also shaking and some are slowly shedding their leaves.From different places and offices, the workers have invaded this place. The cooperation and feeling of togetherness that is reigning here is admirable. The differences in terms of their professions and jobs have been temporarily shelved. They perceive themselves as one entity. They are all government employees.

The atmosphere has even temporarily swallowed the different identities in terms of union affiliations. The demography of this congregation reveals that it is made up of members of different unions in the country. Those different identities are of no great importance. The only thing that might remind one of such diversity is those who have decided to dress in their different union regalia. All the five unions, which are the BOPEU, BLLAWU, BOSETU, BTU and NALCGPWU, are well represented.

The importance of this meeting to the lives of the audience is clear. They are all standing up except for a few whose legs cannot carry them.

The seriousness in their faces sum up the reason why they are here. Hope is written all over their faces. 'We want money. We are tired of the endless negotiations,' one man says as he disappears into the crowd.The fading sound of the loud speaker is also adding to the woes and the desperation of the audience.

They are forced to fully concentrate to try and get what the union leaders say. This attempt results in two compulsory exercises and listening techniques for now. One either stares at the ground to maximise his concentration span or one is on his toes to try and get a glimpse of the speaker as a way of getting the message.

The message from the union leaders is delivered. In a nutshell, it is about the feedback concerning the negotiation between the employer and the unions. They make it clear that they have dispatched teams to traverse the width and breadth of the country to seek a fresh mandate on basically two burning issues.

They want to get from the workers the increment percentage that they want and secondly the way forward if the employer delays concerning the constitution of the much talked about bargaining council.

The director of ceremonies begins to shout, '38 percent!' and there is a murmur of disapproval. He now raises his voice and shouts, '40 percent increment,' still the crowd is not moved.

A voice from the crowd pierces through and says, '50 percent'. 

The crowd becomes excited. The director of ceremonies asks, 'Who is saying 50 percent?' Almost all the hands are in the air. Some have even raised both their hands. There appears to be a consensus about the 50 percent wage increment.

The next issue is now about what should happen if there is further delay about the issue surrounding the constitution of the bargaining council.

'We definitely have to consider downing tools,' one man from the crowd suggests. The crowd endorses the idea.The director of ceremonies throws the question to the crowd again. 'Are we saying we should go for a strike?'

A loud 'Yes' is what he gets back as the answer. One woman who is now seated under a tree puts it diplomatically. 'We are not striking per-se but simply withdrawing our services.

This is the only viable route for now. Electricity tariffs have been hiked, VAT has been increased, and to complicate our lives further, transport fares have been hiked. Unfortunately all these adjustments do not have a corresponding adjustment in so far as our salaries are concerned,' she reasons.

As the proceedings draw to an end, one man who has been standing still and listening attentively suddenly ups and leaves.

He appears to be disappointed. 'These guys are not saying anything about the issue of being paid for 22 days as it has been promised. They are also not saying anything about payment of that May holiday. For now this is what I am interested in. I do not know whether these issues also need a bargaining council,' he says as he hurries to his car.

The meeting finally comes to an end. Members are promises feedback about what transpired during the negotiations with the employer. The membership is advised that should the unions call for a strike, all should participate so as to maximise the impact of such an action.

A word of warning is issued. 'We do not want a strike that will be marred by destruction of property. Comrades! Should we embark on such an action, please act responsibly,' the loud speaker announces. The afternoon is wrapped up in style by song.  The multitudes disperse.

For those who are walking back to their homes and to the taxi rank, the pace has now significantly dropped. Others break into smaller groups to analyse the afternoon's deliberations.