‘Mantšali Phakoana
The Coalition of Lesotho Public Employees (COLEPE) is planning to smoke the peace pipe with the Teachers’ Trade Union (LTTU) and convince them to come back into the fold.
COLEPE says it is eager to engage the LTTU in talks following its recent sudden withdrawal from the coalition.
COLEPE spokesperson Letsatsi Ntsibolane said the LTTU’s action came as a shock to them as they believed the two parties continued to share commitment to advocate for the socio-economic and professional rights of public servants in the country.
Ntsibolane noted that the coalition was yet to approach LTTU to plead with them to reconsider their decision, for the interests of the workers it represents.
He added the LTTU leadership had not brought their concerns before the coalition prior to its withdrawal.
“They did not bring it to our attention that they were somehow dissatisfied. As could be expected, the first move would have been to bring their concerns before the coalition. Nevertheless, I plead not to go into details of the withdrawal until we have talked to them,” Ntsibolane said.
He further indicated that COLEPE could have already talked to the LTTU to reconsider their withdrawal but this was not possible owing the presentation of the national budget speech by finance and development minister Retṧelisitsoe Matlanyane last week.
The planned demonstration by COLEPE scheduled for last week had also put paid to their plans for engagement.
“We were shocked by their withdrawal as we believe that was supposed to be their last resort to give up on the strong relationship we had built. We are hoping they will reconsider their decision. If there is one thing we need is to strengthen our unity as unions and associations for the interests of the workers,” Ntsibolane said.
He explained that since COLEPE is a partnership of unions and associations representing public servants, and not a federation registered with law office, there is no law binding or any terms and conditions applied if a partner decides to pull out of the coalition.
LTTU cut ties with the COLEPE on February 13 this year, a week ahead of a planned demonstration to demand a 25 percent salary hike for all public servants.
The demonstration however, failed to take place after the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) denied the coalition a permit to do so.
Contacted for comment yesterday, LTTU general secretary ‘Mamoholoane Folene said they had brought their concerns before the coalition several times before opting to part ways, but there was no improvement.
Asked whether LTTU was willing to re-join COLEPE, Folene said the coalition should show in writing if they have plans to settle their differences.
“We have written a letter to them and we are still expecting to get response. We don’t know if they are willing to solve our differences, because they never communicated that with us,” she noted.
In a letter signed by the union’s president, Mafokane Ramakhula, LTTU cited it had withdrawn from COLEPE over a number of grievances.
Ramakhula said their decision was caused by tensions within COLEPE over strategy and tactics and systematic exclusion of LTTU from meaningful engagements within the organisation.
He highlighted that the decision came after a careful consideration and deliberation within the trade union and the national council.
Any position taken by the LTTU leadership, he pointed out, was informed by collective views of grassroots members and careful consideration of their interests.
Ramakhula said the LTTU felt there was no use being part of a coalition which lacked solidarity, adding that the trade union will fight its battles on its own if need be.
“Despite our unwavering commitment to collaborative efforts, it has become increasingly evident that the relationship within this arrangement has veered away from collective decision making and grassroots involvement.
“As a trade union organisation driven by a definitive mandate from our leadership and membership, we prioritise representing the interests of our members above all else.
“Every position taken by our leadership is informed by the collective views of our grassroots members and a careful consideration of their interests,” Ramakhula wrote.
The LTTU would ensure that teachers got what was rightfully theirs “but not as members of COLEPE”.
“LTTU has been an integral part of this loose arrangement, contributing to discussions and actions aimed at advancing the interests of public sector workers in Lesotho.
“However, recent developments have highlighted significant tensions within COLEPE, particularly concerning strategy, tactics, and the systematic exclusion of LTTU from meaningful engagements.
“Despite our unwavering commitment to collaborative efforts, it has become increasingly evident that the relationship within this arrangement has veered away from collective decision making and grassroots involvement,” he added.
COLEPE consists of LEPOSA, Lesotho Public Service Staff Association (LEPSSA), Lesotho Association of Teachers (LAT), Lesotho Nurses Association (LNA), Qiloane Nursing Assistants Association (QNAA) and Lesotho Schools Principals Association (LeSPA). It is the largest single grouping of civil servants in the country.
