Strikers With Ulterior Motives
NOW that the dust over the much-talked-about teachers’ strike has subsided, I feel a dire need to reflect.
As a member of the negotiating team, I witnessed how much damage our beloved union [Nantu, the Namibia National Teachers Union) has suffered simply as a consequence of irresponsible leadership on the part of the now-defunct Khomas regional structure. The following false statements were made:
1. The negotiations were clandestine/connived amongst negotiators because they were promised political positions;2. Nantu does not care for its members. 3. If we fail to act now, we will get nothing; the right time to strike is now!
They are devoid of all truth. The negotiating team has acted upon the instructions of its membership. The existing structure to this end is the NTC (National Teachers Council) which comprises inter alia the chairpersons of all the regions. On account of their proposals, the agenda items for negotiations were forwarded to the employer.
The following “negotiations items” were received from the regions. (Khomas Region did not submit any item): housing, transport, remote allowance (“bush allowance”), regarding and medical aid.
The Nantu delegation has kept this mandate to its logical conclusion. The NTC was regularly informed and they had the task to inform the different regional structures about the progress.
On the second allegation that Nantu is insensitive towards its members, one can only shake one’s head in disbelief. The current negotiating team has for its entire existence, secured annual salary increments. The first being the 24 percent over two years, followed by 10 percent last year! We have also successfully bargained the “deal” on remoteness to encourage well-qualified teachers to work and to remain in the rural areas. Scarce skills and “danger” pay were also successfully negotiated whilst there are still others in the pipeline. These are for convenience sake forgotten!
It was however painful to observe how members rose against their own leadership/union because they were misled by people with ulterior motives. This became clear when “new” demands, which deviated from the original mandate, were made.
People spoke of a 40 percent increase and compared the Namibian teachers to their South African counterparts etc. (Nothing is wrong with these demands – only: they were not part of the agenda for negotiations).
In terms of the memorandum of agreement between the Government of Namibia and the recognised trade unions, negotiations ought to take place “in good faith”. This implies that the unions will put items for negotiation (read demands) early on the agenda (preferably at the beginning of the year) to enable the employer to prepare for such demands (read: budget).
Therefore, the union would have been guilty of negotiating in bad faith to add what the Khomas region suddenly demanded only in October 2012.
It should also be understood that, the regrading was not yet concluded; hence the negotiating team requested an additional item to be tabled, albeit late, namely an “inflation-related adjustment”. However, full implementation of the regrading is set for 1 April 2013 and that should complete the full mandate of the team. It is already also agreed that 10 percent increase should follow in the next book year to round things of for the medium term (till 2014).
The negotiating team under the leadership of Basilius Haingura, the Secretary General of Nantu and the Deputy Secretary General, Loide Shaanika, has kept a cool head amidst the storms.
The claim that the strike at least brought “something to the table for the teachers” is thus, through this letter, refuted.
Nonetheless: As a Union we should also take stock at where we were at fault in this entire scenario. The fact remains: it takes two to tango.
Examples existed of ill-will and indiscipline on the part of the Khomas regional structure include the fact that public statements, which were neither verified nor discussed with the national leadership were left unchallenged and the leadership of the said region was not kept to account. The region failed to keep its members informed and this lack of communication led to the frustration of our members. The leadership should therefore share the blame when members rose in frustration and on the basis of false information.
We should have ‘spotted’ the void and filled it through proper communication and in good time to avoid the damage and the embarrassment caused by the strike.
Our members need to know that we are not insensitive to their plight. They need from our side strong leadership to pave the way for renewed unity and loyalty to the recognised trade union of the teachers.
We have proven ourselves to this end during the negotiations. We need to strongly present this image of our union again – a union for the workers, by the workers.
C Kloppers
Nantu NTC member
Windhoek