We the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) and the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA) being the largest and most recognised teachers unions in Zimbabwe having joined forces, do hereby unequivocally and clearly declare as follows:
Having afforded dialogue with the employer a chance on countless meetings in order to resolve the grievances that were raised by our members including erosion of purchasing power of their salaries and the rise of prices of basic commodities and services;
Irked by the fact that government is offering meager salary adjustment and ‘cushioning’ allowances which are akin to a slap on the face of our membership as they are far from addressing the economic challenges faced;
Having declared incapacitation on the part of our membership since the opening of schools on the 8th of January 2019;
Noting that the dispute is one of interest and has since escalated without any final resolution;
Realising the need to restore the teachers’ dignity and to enable teachers to be capacitated in every aspect of their lives by obtaining salaries which are meaningful and above the poverty datum line;
We have agreed as follows:
1. That starting from the 5th of February 2019 all our members shall exercise their right in terms of section 65 (3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act, 2013 by embarking on collective job action (strike)
2. This essentially means our members will be withdrawing their services / labour and will not be reporting for duty with effect from the said date.
Source: Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) and Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA)
