Published: 27 September 2013

The Bankers Association of Zimbabwe (BAZ) has taken a swipe at the current collective job action and picketing by the Zimbabwe Banks and Allied Workers Union saying that the trade union is in breach of the Collective Bargaining Agreement where both parties engage in salary negotiations.

The response comes after Zibawu held demonstrations against Barclays Bank Zimbabwe last week and two pickets against NMB bank management in July.

The demonstrations came after negotiations for salary increments collapsed. NMB workers wanted a 30 percent increment while Barclays bank workers were demanding a 35 percent increase of their salaries.

Management at both banks were however unwilling to address these issues offering 3, 5 percent and 3, 7 percent respectively.

In a statement, BAZ said the matter was still to be heard in the arbitration court where it was referred after the deadlock was reached.

"The framework for salary negotiations in the banking industry is done at National Employment Council level in accordance with the operative agreement between BAZ and Zibawu as contained in the Collective bargaining Agreement: Banking Undertaking Statutory Instrument 273 of 2003.

"The negotiations deadlocked resulting in the matter being referred for arbitration as provided for in the operative collective bargaining agreement," the association said.

BAZ said Zibawu had not waited for the lawful due process of the resolution of the deadlock but had instead engaged in the demonstration putting them in breach of the agreement.

"In the premises, the conduct of Zibawu in encouraging and engaging in the collective job action is not only contrary to the letter and spirit of the agreement but is also against the provisions of the labour act thus rendering the whole process unlawful," BAZ said.
- herald

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