The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) on Wednesday boycotted a feedback meeting following a meeting held on Tuesday between the Apex Council and government representatives.
PTUZ secretary-general, Raymond Majongwe, confirmed that his union did not attend the feedback meeting saying that they have lost confidence in the Apex Council.
However, the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) president, Richard Gundani said that unions should speak with one voice. He said:
The issues that PTUZ are raising have always been raised.
We should be able to find a way that is acceptable so that we have a strong body that will not be challenged.
It is important that we speak with one voice. There are these small things that end up dividing workers.
At the moment we have no choice because Apex Council and NJNC are the legal bodies that provide a platform for bargaining.
The Apex Council is a body comprising of 15 trade unions representing civil servants from across Government departments and only nine sit in the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC).
The NJNC is the platform that brings together trade unions under the Apex Council and government representatives to negotiate conditions of service for civil servants.