Teachers plot job action

By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau |

Teachers’ unions are reportedly mapping a strategy to embark on industrial action over delayed salaries and poor working conditions.

The Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (RTUZ) revealed in a statement on Thursday that it had shelved a scheduled demonstration in Gwanda, Matabeleland South, in order to participate in discussions with fellow associations to decide on joint job action.

The RTUZ demonstration had been planned for tomorrow (Friday).

“The Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (RTUZ) has shelved its Gwanda…demonstration slated for tomorrow to discuss modalities for a joint demonstration with other teacher unions.

“RTUZ is currently negotiating on the modalities of the proposed joint action that is meant to push government to timely pay salaries, release bonuses and address poverty in rural areas,” said RTUZ.

Government, however, recently announced that civil servants who participate in stayaways and other forms of job action would not be paid for the days they would not have reported for duty.

“A date would be announced soon following an agreement with the other unions…We welcome a joint effort to force the government to realise our demands,” added the union.

Zimbabwe has four teachers’ unions, namely RTUZ, the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) and the Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (TUZ).

In the past, though, the unions have been rocked by divisions and failed to collaborate in addressing their concerns.

Teachers form a vocal section among Zimbabwe’s civil servants.

In July, they stayed away from work as protests against President Robert Mugabe’s government gathered momentum. Nehanda Radio