While many public servants are excited over the development, Motsamai said they would continue to negotiate with the employer like they have done in the past. "We managed to negotiate the pension scheme and the medical aid among others and no organisation can claim that they negotiated those schemes," he said. He added that recently the employer promised public servants to start salary negotiations and they will negotiate without exerting unnecessary force. "We will not want to abuse our newly acquired bargaining powers. We will use all possible means before resorting to force," Motsamai said.
BOPEU still has a long way to go before all their union structures are put in place. Motsamai explained that they still have to agree with their employer on the set-up of the structures. This includes the top structure - the bargaining council. "We are actively engaging the employer and we have a consultant from the International Labour Organisation who is helping us."
BOPEU with a membership of over 14, 000 is yet to decide on whether to affiliate to Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU). Motsamai stated that they are taking their members on board and the decision to join is not automatic. "The members will decide if we affiliate or not. The communication is still yet to start," he said.
