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In separate interviews yesterday, Apex Council chairperson Mr David Dzatsunga and his predecessor Mrs Tendai Chikowore said they were giving the negotiations a chance after the Minister of Public Service, Mrs Lucia Matibenga, recommended that a new Apex Council should be appointed for the negotiations while the public servants resolve their internal leadership wrangles.
Mr Dzatsunga said his council welcomed the recommendation and would not down tools as planned earlier.
He said they would pave way for the old council led by Mrs Tendai Chikowore to re-start negotiations.
“We had written to the Minister proposing that we have a meeting. She responded a few days ago advising that we approach the National Joint Negotiating Committee (NJNC) but on condition that the old Apex team represents the workers while we solve the internal problems.
“As the new council we decided to forego our right and allow the old team to negotiate on our behalf. I have not been endorsed by Government as Apex Council chairman yet and I do not see any problem with the decision because we would take up office at the right time. This is about workers and we are simply being magnanimous so that they get what they desire,” said Mr Dzatsunga.
Mrs Chikowore, who is also Zimta president, said they would soon meet to start preparations for the negotiations.
“It is true that the Minister said negotiations could go ahead if the old Apex Council represents Government workers and we are in the process of tying loose legal ends. I am in Harare preparing for a meeting with Mr Dzatsunga, the new chairperson so that we write letters to unions about the matter.
“We will meet as the old and new councils to re-write names of team members and to indicate who the team leaders would be because we want everyone to understand,” said Mrs Chikowore.
She said most members welcomed the decision but feared the negotiation process would be delayed since the old Apex Council would have to be reappointed.
“I cannot speak much because I am no longer the chairperson but for now the Minister has to, according to PSC, reappoint us because it is not automatic that we reassume the duties. There should be a suggestion about the timeframe within which we would work before handing over to the new leadership,” said Mrs Chikowore.
She said while negotiations resume, they expected the Government to pronounce something about bonuses because it was not part of the negotiations.
The leadership squabbles within the public service body started when the Public Service Association, led by Mrs Cecelia Alexander, boycotted polls, saying they were unconstitutional.
PSA represents Government workers not in the education sector.
Mrs Alexander could not comment on the new developments, saying she was yet to get a copy of the letter.
The NJNC talks had failed to take off since a new Apex Council was ushered into office in August owing to internal squabbles.
The Government had said negotiations would only continue after worker representative unions resolved their leadership squabbles, prompting the Apex Council early this month to write to the Minister giving the employer a 48-hour ultimatum to invite them for a meeting over salaries.
The Government workers had given the employer a 14-day period, which ends today complaining that their efforts to engage the employer had failed and would go on strike at the start of national public examinations if nothing happens.
Minister Matibenga could not be reached for comment as her phone was continuously ringing yesterday. In her response dated 16 October 2012 Minister Matibenga had maintained that the civil servants’ unions should put their house in order.
“I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 9 October 2012 in which you are requesting for an NJSC meeting to deliberate on outstanding salary negotiations and other conditions of service for members of the Public Service.
“I have noted your request to have the former Apex Council representatives expedite business while you are resolving your internal leadership wrangles. I advise that you resolve your internal leadership squabbles and recommend for appointment of a new Apex Council that will make decisions that are legally binding and would not subject the ministry to any litigation,” she said.
The letter was also copied to NJNC Government team leader Mr Prince Mpazviriho, NJNC chairperson Dr Nelson Sambureni and PSA president Mr Emmanuel Tichareva.
Online Reporter