By Trevor Makonyonga
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has refused all offers from the government indicating that teachers are still incapacitated unless US$520 is the minimum salary for every teacher.
This was said in a statement by ARTUZ president Obert Masaraure.
Masaraure said, “First and foremost, Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union (ARTUZ) salutes all members and the generality of teachers who have stood firm and pushed hard for the restoration of our USD520.00 salary. As a union we are emboldened by the fact that teachers have awakened and found their power and no amount of selling out, elite compromise and repression will reverse this wave. It is in this context that we share our strategic way forward given the imminent elite agreement and repression which will heighten in the coming days.”
Masaraure laid down five points which were addressing to the current impasse between teachers and the government which have left the education sector in a total crisis.
He said, “1. Rejection of inadequate and unilateral 40% offer
We reject in totality the inadequate and unilateral 40% increment offer by the employer. This increment is a poisoned chalice meant to divide teachers and coax them back into class through a temporary yet inadequate reprieve. It is a poisoned chalice and until the employer returns to our USD520.00 salary we will not be returning to classes.
“2. Elite compromise at NJNC
It has become apparent that the unions engaged in the pity party at the compromised and illegal NJNC will soon seek to sidestep consultations with ordinary teachers and request for a return to classrooms as a ‘show of good faith while negotiations continue.’ This is part of the carrot strategy which the employer seeks to use to push teachers back into classrooms without adequate salaries. As a union we should be wary of this move and reject it for what it is, a sell out deal meant to buy time for the already beleaguered employer.
“3. Media onslaught and defamation
The state media and its agents on social media have already started an onslaught aimed at defaming the union and its leadership. Instead of responding to the substantive issues of incapacitation, they have went for broke defaming and character assassinating union leaders. They are pushing a false narrative that ARTUZ has no membership and is that not a stakeholder in any negotiations. Further, the strategy involves propelling known yellow associations which are in bed with the employer through simple payments of hefty packages to the corrupt leaders as a way to isolate ARTUZ while pushing teachers into classrooms without resolving the salary crisis. As a response, the union will remain visible in alternative media and urges members to circulate our press releases far and wide while we intensify recruitment. It is common cause that since our first congress in 2014, our growth path has seen us recruit and unionise more teachers than all other unions combined. We are the new union of choice and our numbers speak for themselves.
“4. Increased repression
After offering the carrot, the state will then resort to repression and this will be in two phases. Firstly they will be salary ceasations and some charges on a few teachers to scare everyone back into classroom. This will be complimented by threats not to disburse bonuses to all those who are not reporting for duty. To deal with this unity is key and as ARTUZ we urge our members to remain united and vigilant. There is no way the state can charge all teachers, to be sure 99% of teachers are not reporting for duty. It follows that when we remain united and vigilant we have the numbers and there is no way the state can go after everyone. Secondly, the state will resort to open violence which will involve arrests and abductions of union leaders. As ARTUZ we have set up a rapid response team of doctors and lawyers who will be able to assist members when they are under attack. We also have other contingency plans which will be shared with the appropriate structures in each district.
“5. Mass mobilisation and outreach under save our education campaign*
Our ultimate victory lies in our ability to build strong alliances and a movement to defend our educations sector across rural and urban communities. We have already launched the ‘Save our education campaign’ which has gained traction with thousands having already signed our online petition. The next phase is mass mobilisation and outreach which shall see teachers convening with parents, students and other stakeholders to explain why our education matters and the role of each stakeholder in the struggle to save our education.”
He lastly called on teachers to remain focused “to prosecute this struggle.”
Masaraure said, “We remain focused and determined to prosecute this struggle to its logical conclusion which shall be the restoration of our education system and our dignity to its past glory which made it the shining jewel in Africa. Further we shall remain in the trenches until our USD520.00 salary is fully restored. They may delay and attempt all manner of tricks but it is apparent they will bend and our victory is within grasp. Lets intensify the struggle comrades. Aluta Continua!”
