By Elezo Libanda
Katima Mulilo, Aug. 6 -– The majority of civil servants who had voted in favour of going on strike around the country feel betrayed by the two recognized bargaining unions Napwu and Nantu after they signed an agreement with the government.
The agreement was put to stop the looming strike which could have brought all services of government to a standstill.
On Thursday the government and the two unions agreed to a three percent salary increment and a 14 percent on transport allowance, something the workers are not happy with.
The government had earlier insisted there was no money for a salary increase but made a last-minute U-turn after civil servants voted for industrial action, striking rules were still being agreed on when the two unions and government signed the deal to avert the strike.
Civil servants feel cheated as they feel their union representatives signed the deal without consulting them.
“We feel we have been used, as this was just a formality as they already knew what they would do in the face of a strike, what is three percent? Does it have any effect on one’s salary? Our union representative spoke like he represents government and not the workers,” said one teacher who was ready to strike and had already had his attire printed for the strike.
Another teacher at Brendan Simbwaye primary school in the Zambezi said she knew nothing would materialize as unions affiliated to the ruling party have no teeth.
“They just played with our minds, they knew the strike would not happen, we need an independent workers’ union that is not affiliated to any political party. It’s a waste of time belonging to a union and being treated like trash. The best thing is to withdraw our membership from this union and fight our own battles,” she said.
