Officiating at the BTU Congress of Delegates in Goodhope yesterday, Keletso Rakhudu said, however, unions have to learn not to commit the mistakes of employers. He told the teachers that unions must understand and undertake to facilitate the workplace environment by engaging the employer on a positive developmental mode, for it is only when the employer has been so engaged that they will create a much better workplace environment. He said it is when the employer understands the role of the union that they will recognise the potential for value-add, and that the employer can only share a true win-win scenario with the union. Rakhudu said the Teacher-Employer-Union tripartite should be natured in all respects, for herein lies the win-win situation. "Should the Botswana Teachers Union achieve this, the Botswana Government, the employer, can only invest heavily in this relationship, and symbiosis will be created," Rakhudu said.
The assistant minister said many would believe that there should be conflict and acrimony between the union and the employer, and that the relationship needs to be combative. He described such a relationship as a sure recipe for failure and disaster and said it is both their responsibility to kill this myth.
