The statement that bore the signature of the acting general secretary for the Public Service Bargaining Council, Willard Ulaula, explained what transpired during the talk and what lead to the collapse: "Both parties acknowledged that the impact of inflation is more prominent on employees who are on the lower salary grades than those at the upper grades," he said adding, "however, parties disagreed on the percentage to be awarded and the effective date for implementation of the proposed salary adjustment," When contacted to explain the sudden withdrawal of the communication, he said he was not in a position to do so. Ulaula referred this publication to the secretariat of the Council that is made up of the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Ruth Maphorisa and Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union secretary general Tobokani Rari; whose mobile phones rang unanswered. The statement gave either of the negotiating parties liberty to seek intervention.
"In terms of the agreed Negotiation Rules & Procedures of the Council, any of the parties may refer the dispute to the Commissioner of Labour & Social Security in terms of Section 7 of the Trade Disputes Act."
