From ALEX NJOVU in Kitwe
FORMER Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) president Andrew Mwanza says the disunity recently displayed by mine unions during salary negotiations for Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) unionised workers is affecting the general membership at grassroots level.
FORMER Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) president Andrew Mwanza says the disunity recently displayed by mine unions during salary negotiations for Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) unionised workers is affecting the general membership at grassroots level.
Mr Mwanza said in an interview in Kitwe yesterday that other unions
should swallow their pride and rejoin MUZ which has established
structures on the ground.
Other than MUZ, other unions which represent miners in Zambia are the United Mine Workers Union of Zambia (UMUZ) and National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW).
“MUZ is the only established union representing miners in Zambia. These other unions must swallow their pride and join forces with MUZ in fighting for better conditions for miners.
“It is sad that there was disunity among union leaders at recent negotiations for salary increment for KCM workers. MUZ has its own offices and it is even renting buildings to various companies while some unions rent offices,” he said.
Mr Mwanza said the 7.5 percent salary increase which unionised workers were offered at KCM is as a result of disunity among union leaders.
He castigated union officials for allegedly failing to represent miners effectively.
“The salary increment which miners were offered is a mockery, I cannot blame KCM management in anyway. It is the unions themselves. Miners want union leaders who have their interest at heart. We cannot have many unions in one sector,” Mr Mwanza said.
He said MUZ leadership has always worked hard to improve the welfare of miners in the country.
KCM has awarded its unionised employees a 7.5 percent salary increase across the board.
Speaking during the signing of the collective agreement in Kitwe last Thursday, MUZ general secretary Joseph Chewe described the 7.5 percent increment as a mockery.
Mr Chewe said the unions were not happy with the increment and hoped that they will be able to clinch a better package next year.
“This is a mediocre package and we are not happy as unions. There was no unity amongst ourselves as unions, we had some union officials who were pushing their own agendas,” Mr Chewe said.
When contacted for a comment, NUMAW general secretary Stephen Mukupa said his union has established structures on the ground.
Mr Mukupa said NUMAW is committed to improving the welfare of miners in the country.
“We cannot dissolve our union to join MUZ, that is out. We are a big union, we have a huge following of members up to Choma,” he said.
Other than MUZ, other unions which represent miners in Zambia are the United Mine Workers Union of Zambia (UMUZ) and National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW).
“MUZ is the only established union representing miners in Zambia. These other unions must swallow their pride and join forces with MUZ in fighting for better conditions for miners.
“It is sad that there was disunity among union leaders at recent negotiations for salary increment for KCM workers. MUZ has its own offices and it is even renting buildings to various companies while some unions rent offices,” he said.
Mr Mwanza said the 7.5 percent salary increase which unionised workers were offered at KCM is as a result of disunity among union leaders.
He castigated union officials for allegedly failing to represent miners effectively.
“The salary increment which miners were offered is a mockery, I cannot blame KCM management in anyway. It is the unions themselves. Miners want union leaders who have their interest at heart. We cannot have many unions in one sector,” Mr Mwanza said.
He said MUZ leadership has always worked hard to improve the welfare of miners in the country.
KCM has awarded its unionised employees a 7.5 percent salary increase across the board.
Speaking during the signing of the collective agreement in Kitwe last Thursday, MUZ general secretary Joseph Chewe described the 7.5 percent increment as a mockery.
Mr Chewe said the unions were not happy with the increment and hoped that they will be able to clinch a better package next year.
“This is a mediocre package and we are not happy as unions. There was no unity amongst ourselves as unions, we had some union officials who were pushing their own agendas,” Mr Chewe said.
When contacted for a comment, NUMAW general secretary Stephen Mukupa said his union has established structures on the ground.
Mr Mukupa said NUMAW is committed to improving the welfare of miners in the country.
“We cannot dissolve our union to join MUZ, that is out. We are a big union, we have a huge following of members up to Choma,” he said.
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