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Unions accuse Lungwangwa of lacking interest in UNZA affairs

Unions accuse Lungwangwa of lacking interest in UNZA affairs
By Inonge Noyoo
Sunday July 27, 2008 [04:00]

THE two workers' unions at the University of Zambia (UNZA) have accused education minister Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa of lack of practical interest in the institution since assuming office. In a statement signed by the presidents and general secretaries of the University of Zambia Professional and Senior Staff Association (UNZAPROSSA) and the University of Zambia and Allied Workers' Union (UNZAWU), the two unions blamed Prof Lungwangwa for the current go-slow at the institution.

The unions claimed that Prof Lungwangwa had caused the current crisis at UNZA because he has had no interest in the welfare of the workers at the institution.
The unions further stated that Prof Lungwangwa was simply using his office to settle old scores with the workers at the university where he once worked.

The unions explained that the crisis at UNZA emanated from the quiet animosity between Prof Lungwangwa and the university community.

They explained that Prof Lungwangwa's refusal to approve the salaries agreed upon by the workers' representatives and the University Council was purely personal.

The unions claimed that Prof Lungwangwa's hatred for the university community dates back to the time when he was still UNZA deputy vice-chancellor and the university community exposed him for purchasing furniture and curtains for his office without following laid down procedure.

The unions revealed that when Prof Lungwangwa was still deputy vice-chancellor, he was paid over K100 million, a payment they described as abnormal and that other people on the list who were supposed to be paid earlier than him were ignored.

The unions explained that Prof Lungwagwa had not forgiven the university community for exposing a series of irregularities in which he was involved when he was still deputy vice-chancellor and was now settling scores by denying them the salary increment.

"We strongly believe that the minister does not wish to see peace at the University of Zambia. It is disheartening that when the entire nation is united in praying for the quick recovery of our head of state, the minister is busy planting seeds of disunity by deliberately provoking the lecturers and other workers at the University of Zambia," they stated.

The unions further claimed that Prof Lungwangwa believed that some union representatives hated him during the time he was deputy vice-chancellor and had continued to hate him even now.
"We want to inform the nation that if the University of Zambia Great East Road campus is closed today or tomorrow, the minister of education shall be held personally responsible.

The workers demand an immediate implementation of the memorandum of agreement. We negotiaitiated for everything in good faith and if the other party erred, we cannot be held responsible," stated the unions. "We wish to reiterate that we have collectively resolved to fight this battle up to the end and the go-slow will continue with renewed vigour."
Efforts to get a comment from Prof Lungwangwa proved futile.

Labels: GEOFFREY LUNGWANGWA, TRADE UNIONS, UNZA, UNZAPROSSA, UNZAWU

posted by MrK @ 3:54 AM