Chilanga unionised council workers down tools

Chilanga unionised council workers down tools 

 

Chilanga , September11, 2014 ZANIS—Chilanga District Council unionised workers yesterday went on strike demanding for improved conditions of service.

 

 A check  by ZANIS at council offices yesterday found councils workers sitting outside their offices.

 

Zambia United Local Authorities Workers Union Chilanga District Chairperson Makenzi Phiri accused the Council Secretary John Kamanga of not paying attention to their grievances.

 

He said the salaries for council workers were too low and that the council secretary has done nothing about it.

 

M. Makenzi said Chilanga District Council workers were the least paid compared to other districts in the province.

 

He said the union had conducted a survey to find out how much other council workers were being paid and discovered that Chilanga District council workers were the least paid in the province.

 

Some workers spoken to who sought anonymity said they were getting as little as K700 per month

 

But Mr Kamanga said the strike action by the unionised workers was illegal.

 

He said the council was still negotiating with union leaders for improved conditions of service for the workers.

 

Mr Kamanga explained that the council does not determine salaries for the workers but follow what is stipulated in the harmonised local government service conditions.

 

 Mr Kamanga urged the workers to go back to work as their grievances were being handled by their union leaders.