Interview: Parliament strike was last resolve
Parliament Staff Union President LEONARD TILINGAMAWA shares with our reporter BONIFACE PHIRI about what transpired for Parliament Secretariat staff to hold a two day industrial action.
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Q: For how long have issues surrounding your conditions of service and salary increment been going on?
A:Well, I would say the issue has been there for the past six years and this time we got fed up with the promises and lies. A review of our conditions of service started early last year when we submitted documents to the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), which accepted our proposals and determined the percentages we would be getting. Unfortunately, the Executive has been refusing to implement it and last October we wrote the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) but they only gave us six percent which was far less than what the PSC had recommended. We tried to discuss with them on several occasions but they weren’t forthcoming.
Q: So, what happened that you should now be back at work?
A:
On Wednesday evening we got a letter from OPC indicating their commitment to pay us the 24 percent with effect from first October. But the implementation will be in two phases where phase one will start immediately with 18 percent and the remaining six percent will be paid in arrears in July at the start of the new fiscal year. So, since government has committed itself by way of writing we have resolved the matter and resumed work.
- We understand some workers were still reluctant to resume work?
A.
That’s true. Some of our colleagues didn’t want to work and it took me to convince them to resume work. But let me hasten to say that the workers must also be understood because it’s standard practice all the world where Parliament staff do not get equal salaries to every civil servant because we are a crucial arm of government.
- Some say the timing was bad.
A.
No, not at all. The industrial action was due to frustration. It was a strategy and we even told the OPC that everyone has their own means of doing things and we resolved that this was the right time they need us most. And this was why we took this step; there wouldn’t have been a better time.
Q.
But did you have to put chains on doors?
A.
That’s a lock-up and that’s how it is supposed to be. It’s also clearly spelt in the law that we can lock out our employers and vice-versa. So, that was to make sure that nobody had access to the chamber.
- We saw some of your striking colleagues heckling honourable Members of Parliament. Is this the way you conduct yourselves during industrial actions?
A.
My deepest apologies should go to all MPs and everyone who was abused by my colleagues in any way. Despite that we agreed not to take this lightly, that did not warrant such abuse and it is quite unfortunate. This is a matter we will have to address at some point, but it was not our intention to verbally abuse anybody.
- So, what’s the way forward?
A.
The matters are now resolved and most of the outstanding issues will be dealt with amicably; we don’t want to reach this stage again. It only remains to government to walk the talk.
