WAR AT UB
- UB Staff vow not to teach missed modules
It is tools down this week at the University of Botswana for some staff members. They want management to increase salaries or they will strike until management understands that they are not happy.
The University of Botswana Trade Unions - University of Botswana Staff Union (UBSU) and University of Botswana Academic and Support Staff Union (UBASSU) - have joined hands in fighting for a salary hike.
UBASSU Secretary General Emmanuel Mogende says they are dying because the university does not want to listen to their concerns.
“Our purchasing power is limited, we can’t buy cars, houses or even pay school fees, yet we work like elephants but reap like ants.
“UB workers survive on micro lenders, we have negative balances, we have heartless, ruthless, leaders. The mighty UB as portrayed out there, is not so mighty on the inside,” Mogende said.
Mogende said they are aware that students will suffer the most as they continue striking, but there is nothing they can do, because they are simply fighting for better working conditions.
He warned that those who are supposed to graduate this year, will graduate maybe next year because the University has implemented the no work, no pay rule.
Mogende said if that is how UB wants to approach the matter, then it means there will be nothing that warrants those who are on strike to go back to teaching missed modules.
If a lecturer was to teach a certain module this week, when they go back to work next week, they will continue according to schedule, and not go back to the missed work of the week of the strike.
“It is not us, but UB management, we cannot do work that will not be paid for, this will obviously hit hard on those students who are in Botswana for exchange programmes. They will return home having missed some modules,” he said.
UBSU president Gadzani Mhotsha shared this week that the intention was to march for workplace justice this past weekend, however they did not have a permit from the police.
If all goes well they are planning to hold the march on Friday.
In response, the University of Botswana said it is aware of the week-long strike by UBSU and UBASSU.
UB said it is not against salary adjustments however, the University has not been able to adjust salaries as they are dependent on government subvention that has been cumulatively going down by 28 percent to date.
“At this juncture, the University still needs cushioning by government to be able to adjust salaries for staff of the University of Botswana while in the process of achieving self-sustenance,” a statement from UB said.
UB management pleaded with the student community to remain calm and not be distracted assuring that they will engage with the unions to ensure a smooth and amicable resolution.