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“It was in receipt of a Government letter that invited the Apex Council for NJNC meeting on Wednesday, 25 January 2012. Further to this observation the council has resolved to suspend the industrial action tomorrow to pave way for good faith in the meeting,” reads the statement.
“However, our decision to suspend the strike should not be misconstrued as a weakness. The strike will be called off only if the Government offers substantive awards tomorrow. Thus we advise the Government to come to the table with a meaningful offer. Our next course of action will be announced tomorrow and shall be influenced by the results of the negotiations.”
The Apex Council consists of the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta), Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (TUZ), Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), College Lecturers Association of Zimbabwe (Colaz) and the Public Service Association (PSA).
The council affirmed its commitment towards normalising relations with its employer and to restoring service delivery quickly.
It, however, castigated sentiments that the civil servants strike was influenced by a certain political party’s interests, saying such remarks were malicious and meant to discomfit the union’s leadership.
In an interview later in the day, Apex Council president Mrs Tendai Chikowore urged civil servants to report for duty today.
“The strike is suspended for tomorrow only. The procedure is very clear that the Government cannot negotiate with us when our members are on strike. We will then give a statement of our position after tomorrow’s meeting,” said Mrs Chikowore.
Zimta chief executive officer Mr Sifiso Ndlovu also seconded the Apex Council’s resolution to suspend the strike today.
“Following the above development and the desire to meet the conditions of negotiating in good faith, we agreed to suspend the strike tomorrow. Thus we request all teachers on strike to report back for work tomorrow.
“The course of action will be announced after negotiations tomorrow. The way forward will depend on the outcome of tomorrow’s meeting,” said Mr Ndlovu.
He described the strike as a resounding success and indicated that 80 percent of the educators had heeded the call.
On Monday, Public Service Minister Lucia Matibenga announced that the Government had come up with a new position paper on salaries and working conditions for civil servants to be presented to the Apex Council during today’s NJNC meeting.
The education sector was the most affected as teachers across the country boycotted lessons, leaving the sector paralysed.
A survey by Chronicle news crew in Bulawayo yesterday revealed that the situation was not different from Monday as no lessons took place at schools.
The strike was expected to last up to Friday.
Media, Information and Publicity Permanent Secretary Mr George Charamba has also said the Presidency was closely monitoring the process of negotiations between Government and civil servants and needed
“something” to be done for the workers.
Mr Charamba, who is the Presidential spokesperson, said Acting President John Nkomo last week summoned the inter-ministerial taskforce on civil servants and asked it to urgently consolidate Government’s position paper.
He said it was agreed that while negotiations continued, “some comfort” had to be extended to civil servants and the Presidency was anxiously waiting for today’s meeting.
He said the Acting President had indicated to the taskforce that this was a “very loaded” year and service delivery should not be compromised.
Civil servants salaries have always been tied to an increase in diamond revenue and last week Minister Biti attacked the US for placing mining companies, Mbada Diamonds and Marange Resources under sanctions.
In a letter to US assistant secretary of treasury Charles Collyns, Minister Biti pleaded with the Americans to scrap the embargo, saying capital projects worth $600 million proposed in his 2012 national budget totally depended on diamond revenue.
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