Altercations could destabilise BOFEPUSU
Chakalisa Dube | Monday October 2, 2023 06:00
It is now an open secret that the scuffle among local trade unions is threatening the survival of the federation.
The federation, which is made up of about 12 affiliates, recently held its elective congress here to elect a new leadership. At the event, it was discenable that the unions making up the federation do not see eye-to-eye.
There was lack of camaraderie.
In short, the “us against them” mentality was very prevalent at the weekend gathering. Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) and Botswana Land Boards, Local Authorities and Health Workers Union (BLLAHWU) were fighting in one corner while Botswana Nurses Union (BONU), Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) and National Amalgamated, Central, Local and Parastatal Manual Workers Union (NACLPMWU) commonly known as Manual Workers Union appeared to be siding with each other.
The outgoing president of the federation, Johannes Tshukudu fittingly summed the state of the affairs at the federation when he said other affiliates except for BLLAWU and BOSETU have played less part in helping advance the mandate of the federation. He said other unions have constantly failed to meet their constitutional obligation with reference to paying monthly subscriptions, something that has left the movement unable to function properly. Although BOFEPUSU has 12 or more affiliates drawn from the public, private and parastatal organisations, its survival is anchored by public sector unions. BTU and Manual Workers Union are the biggest unions in the federation in terms of numbers.
“The situation (financial challenges) was made worse by some public sector trade unions who at one point suspended their contributions (subscriptions) for almost a year. This has greatly affected the cash flow of the federation, which nearly paralysed it. At one point, we only had two public sector unions BOSETU and BLLAWHU meeting their constitutional obligation in as far as paying monthly subscriptions,” a frustrated Tshukudu said in his last speech as president. He also created insinuations that the plan to boycott payment of subscriptions is greatly influenced by government, with a view of killing the aspirations of the federation.
But, what really attracted the attention of the observers was the overall mood at the congress. It was apparent that there was severe tension amongst BOFEPUSU affiliates, and such scenario is likely to persist owing to several reasons. For instance, at the congress, BOSETU members were seething with anger as they felt that they were being purely sidelined most notably by BTU, BONU and Manual Workers Union. Based on their reaction at the congress, their next possible action could include pushing for a resolution that would totally terminate their membership at the federation, something that they intimated on Saturday.
The other likely consequence is that BOSETU and BLLAHWU are likely to retaliate by not actively taking part in BOFEPUSU activities. In short, they might not fulfill their obligation to pay affiliation fees. At the congress there was already speculation that BLLAHWU and BOSETU are planning to totally distance themselves from paying their monthly subscription fees and BOFEPUSU activities altogether. They might look for an excuse to shun payment of subscription fees. Boycotting the federation might not necessarily paralyse it, but it could weaken its resolve to pursue the working-class agenda. Another dynamic, is that almost all key positions at the federation are occupied by BTU, Manual Workers and BONU. There is a historic narrative that the three unions are to some extent lapdogs of the government although that has not been proven by empirical evidence. Because of this storyline is not off the mark for one to imply that BOSETU and BLLAHWU would not want to be more active at the federation. BOSETU and BLLAHWU have always adopted a near militant approach when dealing with government.
To some extent the decision by Tobokani Rari (former BOFEPUSU secretary-general and Ketlhalefile Motshegwa (who was Rari’s deputy) not to defend their leadership positions at the federation is also widely viewed as another sign that their unions will not be very active at the federation. Both Motshegwa and Rari wield so much power and influence at their trade unions (BLLAHWU and BOSETU respectively) where they hold key leadership positions. Yesterday, Rari expressed his frustration about the dynamics at the recent congress. “It is true that the happenings at the congress left a bitter taste on BOSETU members,” he said. Rari added that BOSETU members felt that the atmosphere at the congress was not cordial and felt left out in instances where members of other unions appeared to have caucused.
“That is not an atmosphere that built and encourages solidarity of the working class. However, as BOSETU leadership we believe we need to be the bigger people, look at the bigger picture and actuate solidarity of the working class. We will be committed to the cause of the working class and aspirations of the federation,” Rari said. He however, said the supreme structures of the union such as the governing council and the congress are the ones that can decide on the union’s future in the federation.
“One cannot be certain what other structures of the union think. Structures such as the congress or governing council can decide to stay in the federation, terminate membership or subscriptions, but as the leadership we feel that we need to be there. The working class can benefit when there is solidarity,” Rari said. However, the newly elected BOFEPUSU secretary-general, Robert Rabasimane downplayed the adverse mood that characterised the congress. He said by nature elections are defined by a near argumentative atmosphere. “Our interest as labour is one. It is to advance the rights of the working class. Now that the elections are past us it is time to focus on issues affecting the working class,” he said.
Rabasimane stated that all affiliates of the federation have problems that have somehow spilled into the federation. He also defended the Manual Workers Union’s decision to halt payment of subscription fees. Rabasimane is a direct employee of Manual Workers Union, where holds the position of deputy CEO. “We had reservations about paying rent because we are majority shareholders of a building housing the federation. We felt we deserved to be paid rent while other unions held a divergent view. The matter dragged on for a longtime. The leadership then stopped paying subscription to motivate other unions in the federation to open dialogue on the matter with us,” Rabasimane said.
BTU is said to have defaulted in their subscriptions because they were unhappy with the ascendance of Tshukudu to the presidency of the federation. Tshukudu is a member of the federation but he said to be in bad terms with members of his union. Rabasimane emphasised that the priority of the new leadership will be to facilitate solutions for problems facing their affiliates. He also pointed out that members of the federation executive that has just completed its term in office will not be sidelined.
“Differing should not make us lose sight of the bigger picture, which is pursuing the working-class agenda. Individuals like Rari and Motshegwa will not be lost to the federation. We will remain in touch with them. We want them to plough back their knowledge to grassroots of the federation,' Rabasimane explained.