Lovemore Chazingwa
In the wake of a protracted standoff between state university lecturers and their employers, the former have proposed for an industrial action ballot to be conducted this Friday, September 5, 2025.
A communique is in circulation advising on the latest development which is aimed at soliciting opinion from among members on the proposed way forward.
If the tabled vote sails through, that may see state universities lecturers resorting to downing tools.
The stand off proposal comes in the middle of protracted tiff between the employers and universities lecturers over salaries and working conditions.
Zimbabwe State Universities Union of Academics (Zisuua) and, Zimbabwe Universities and Allied Workers Union (Zuawu) have joined hands to call for this kind of action which, if approved can manifest in crippling industrial action at the institutions, by the lecturers.
The two bodies, Zisuua and Zuawu are making their case against Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development severally with a dozen such universities within their constituency in the country.
The joint statement is premised on the issuance of a Statement of No-Settlement by Chabata and
Gwekwerere on 8 July, 2025.
“In the absence of a negotiation forum where meaningful engagements on salaries and working conditions can take place, we are left with no choice but to call for this ballot,” the statement of intent informs.
The lobby bodies say that this is not a baseless call but is premised on the country’s labour statutes.
“The consultation of members and employees is a statutory requirement in terms of Section 35(a) of the Labour Act [Chapter(28:01)].
Accordingly, a request has been made to the employer to provide appropriate and reasonable facilities for the conduct of the above-mentioned ballot on the employer’s premises.”
The letter informs that the ballot will be under the jurisdiction of both bodies and relevant workers committee.
“The ballot will be supervised by officials from Zisuua and Zuawu in conjunction with members from the relevant workers committee.”
Universities engaged include, BUSE, CUT, GSU, GZU, HIT, LSU, MUAST, MSU, MSUAS, NUST UZ and ZOU.
The statement, signed on August 28, 2025, has signatures appended by secretary generals from both representative bodies.
