mmegi

UB staff, management hit deadlock as strike rages on

UB staff strike PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
UB staff strike PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

The University of Botswana Staff Union (UBSU) together with University of Botswana Academic and Support Staff Union (UBASSU) have once more convened to embark on a strike after their salary increment pleas hit a snag last year.

When the two unions handed over a petition to the Ministry of Education, and Skills Development Dr Douglas Letsholathebe last year they had asked for 15% pay increase across the board effective from April, or at least 7.5 percent plus incorporation of allowances into basic salaries if 15% was too steep for the university.

In an interview with Mmegi this week, UBSU president Gadzani Mhotsha revealed that the minister did get back to them, but his response was shocking to say the least. “The minister got back to us and said that he met with the UB Council. The UB Council told the minister that they were surprised that the unions approached him without informing the council about their concerns,” he said.

Editor's Comment
Human rights are sacred

It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...

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