Full Text: Teachers To Go Ahead With Strike

Dear Colleagues

RE: INDUSTRIAL ACTION DECLARED

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 This letter serves to inform educators and education administrators in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) of the strike action beginning Tuesday 8 May 2018.

1.2 This strike action follows the declaration by the ZIMTA 37th Annual National Conference, which is herein attached.

2.0 DISPUTE/ CONFLICT

2.1 The major bone of contention arises out of the teachers’ leave that was suspended in 2016 and suspended sector specific allowances that include HOD allowances, TIC allowances, Special Responsibility allowances and Acting allowances. Allowances have not been paid since the introduction of the multi-currency regime.

2.2 This dispute is compounded by low salaries and the reluctance to improve them by the employer.

2.3 The standard response has always been fiscus is unable to accommodate these demands. Meanwhile on the leave case, the wheels of justice are grinding very slowly, with judgement on this issue being reserved since 2016.
We Educate the Nation

3.0 ACTION

3.1 The ZIMTA 37th Annual National Conference unanimously agreed to embark on industrial action starting 8 May 2018. Members are therefore informed and called upon to support this action so as to reach out to the employer for a positive response

3.2 In times like these, members are protected by each other hence the call for individual support by all members and sympathisers. Remember, “You are your brother’s keeper”, and the motto during this strike is, “Watch my back and I watch yours.”

4.0 INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT

4.1 ZIMTA is activating institutional support within Zimbabwe’s legal framework and also international support. In case of victimisation and physical harm, the organisation will stand by you.

4.2 Strategic details about deployment will be communicated discretely to provincial structures at appropriate times.

5.0 CONCLUSION

5.1 To our bonafide members, I encourage you to join hands in solidarity as we execute this battle. See no red lights for now and move the struggle.

Ayihlome Let the battle begin!! Yours in Service