UNZA Unions set to hold strike ballot after failed conciliation talks

Pumulo

... The University of Zambia Professional Staff Union (UNZAPROSU), UNZALARU, and UNZAWU are proceeding with a strike ballot after months of unproductive negotiations, citing unresolved issues related to compensation, working conditions, and a severe funding shortfall affecting the university's operations.

By Francis Maingaila ♥️

Lusaka, Zambia24 - (6-11-2024) - The three major unions at the University of Zambia (UNZA) have announced that they will conduct a strike ballot next week after prolonged efforts to negotiate an agreement through a formal conciliation process failed to yield results.

Likezo Pumulo, President of the University of Zambia Professional Staff Union (UNZAPROSU), addressed the media on behalf of UNZAPROSU, the University of Zambia Lecturers' and Researchers' Union (UNZALARU), and the University of Zambia and Allied Workers Union (UNZAWU). Pumulo explained that the decision to hold a strike ballot follows several months of intense discussions involving union representatives, university management, and officials from the Ministries of Education and Finance.

According to Pumulo, despite repeated negotiation sessions, the conciliation board, established specifically to address this labor dispute, was unable to produce a mutually acceptable resolution. The conciliation process, which formally began on September 2, extended through October 28 and involved representatives from all relevant stakeholders. However, it concluded without any agreement, leaving the unions with few options to address their concerns over working conditions and compensation issues.

“We have complied with the legal process at every step, making sure that our actions are fully aligned with the law,” Pumulo stated during an interview. “This time, no one can claim that we have acted unlawfully or have incited our members to take disruptive actions. We have meticulously followed every legal requirement.”

Following the breakdown of the conciliation process, union leaders held a series of meetings with staff to update them on the negotiations and outline the unions’ next steps. Pumulo reported that all categories of university employees showed strong support for conducting a strike ballot, indicating their readiness to consider industrial action if necessary.

Under Zambian labor laws, unions have several options when conciliation fails: they can escalate the matter to the courts, move to arbitration, or hold a ballot among members to determine whether to proceed with industrial action. The three unions collectively opted for the latter course and have informed the Office of the Labor Commissioner of their intent to hold a ballot next week.

The outcome will guide the unions on whether to initiate a strike or go-slow action, based on the members' preferences.

“We are requesting a transparent and fair process to ensure that the results of this ballot accurately reflect the will of our members,” Pumulo added, calling on the Labor Commissioner’s office to support a process that is conducted in full compliance with the law.

The forthcoming strike ballot marks a significant development in a long-standing conflict between university staff and the administration. Union leaders are hopeful that the ballot outcome will pave the way for a resolution to the protracted dispute. However, with unresolved grievances around employment conditions and compensation, tensions remain high among staff, and both sides are bracing for the ballot's outcome.

And speaking earlier, The President of the University of Zambia Lecturers' and Researchers' Union (UNZALARU), Prof. Andrew Phiri, urged the government to fulfill its financial commitments to the University of Zambia (UNZA), stating that a severe funding shortfall is jeopardizing the institution’s operations.

According to Phiri, out of the 1.4 billion Kwacha promised by the government, only 206 million Kwacha has been released, leaving UNZA unable to sustain key functions.

Prof. Phiri warned that the lack of funding is hampering essential areas such as administrative services, academic programs, and campus support systems.

“While the government has indicated interest in resolving these financial issues, it’s now essential to see concrete measures that address this deficit,” Phiri told journalists.

The funding gap has led UNZALARU to intensify efforts to secure stable employment and improved working conditions for its members, with Phiri explaining that the union remains committed to addressing lecturers' concerns through formal and procedural channels.

“Our grievance system is structured and transparent,” he stated, underscoring that the union is dedicated to following university protocols to reach fair solutions.

Phiri further emphasized that the funding shortage has implications for students, as it undermines the creation of a safe and supportive learning environment. He appealed to the government and university leadership to collaborate in restoring operational stability and preserving the institution’s future.

Phiri called for transparency and accountability from all parties involved in the funding and governance of the university.

He also encouraged the public to stay informed about the unfolding situation at UNZA as the university navigates its financial difficulties.

Moonga Mupuna, Secretary General of the University of Zambia and Allied Workers Union (UNZAWU), has voiced increasing frustration over the university management's continued inaction in settling overdue financial obligations to employees. These arrears, now totaling approximately 1.4 billion Kwacha, have lingered unresolved for nearly a decade, with ongoing discussions yielding minimal progress.

Mupuna underscored that UNZAWU has pursued all available formal channels and highlighted the media’s role in bringing visibility to the situation, stating, “Previous forums informed the public and university community about these pressing issues.”

He pointed out that the union escalated the matter through legal means, officially registering it as a dispute under Zambia’s Industrial Relations Act, which led to the formation of a conciliation board tasked with achieving a resolution within 30 days.

However, Mupuna revealed that this has yet to produce any concrete results, as management still has not offered a definitive plan for repayment.

"Management’s stance remains virtually unchanged from what it has been over the past nine years," he noted, adding that continued inaction will only deepen the financial crisis.

UNZAWU has urged management to put forward a realistic roadmap for clearing the debt by next year, stressing that further postponements would endanger employees' financial security.

Mupuna underscored the union’s efforts to engage constructively, but noted that management’s responses so far have consisted largely of vague assurances about ongoing discussions rather than tangible commitments.

Mupuna called upon the wider community, including government bodies, to back UNZAWU’s appeal for fair treatment and respect.

“We are not simply asking for payments; we are demanding respect and recognition for our members’ years of service,” he emphasized, noting that this struggle encompasses not just financial issues but also the dignity and well-being of university staff who have dedicated much of their lives to the institution.

Mupuna reaffirmed the union's dedication to advocating for its members through all legal avenues, while awaiting management’s response and further guidance. He expressed hope that a just resolution would be reached, one that acknowledges the longstanding service of university employees and addresses their financial needs.