The union from inception has had the ambition of improving the
welfare of its members. As such all the activities it engages in are
aimed at making the life of its members better. In a quest to ensure
that every member feel a sense of belonging, the union makes sure that
the activities are implemented in an equitable manner. Below is the
brief information on the activities the union engages in. Other sites on
this web will show these activities in detail.
PARTICIPATION IN WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY
The union participates in the celebration of World Teachers’ Day every
year by ensuring that a selected group of members clad in the union’s
attire march under the emblem of SESTUZ in at least one District per
Province as well as participate in officiating in Districts assigned to it.
However, the union provides regalia to all members which they wear on
this day. The union further hosts braai Parties for its members in the
same Districts where it features in the March Past. Lastly but not the
least, the union through its Structures ensure that deserving teachers
are awarded.
PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
As a union which recognizes the important role women play in the
development of the union, Community, Country and the World at large,
it has always ensured that it joins the rest of the World in
Commemorating the International Women’s Day. Like on Teachers’ Day,
the union participates in the March Past in at least one District per
Province.
It further carries out activities ranging from Community
Service (cleaning in Public spaces such markets and hospitals) to
having topical discussions derived from the theme of the year with the
members and the members of the Community at large. Lastly, the union
make donations to identified vulnerable persons in society as well as
hold celebratory functions such as braai.
PARTICIPATION IN YOUTH DAY
The union being an organization which believes in a young teacher as
the future of SESTUZ and the nation at large, it has always supported
all Youth activities. So every year the union participates in activities
lined up for Youth Day. Like Teachers Day and Women’s Day, the union
is represented during the March Past in at least one District per
Province.
Furthermore, the union through the Youths engage in works
of Charity (Ranging from making donations to carrying out works in
Public Spaces such Public Offices, Markets and Hospitals). It also
conduct topical discussions derived from the themes of the year among
the youths as well as holding of braai parties.
PARTICIPATION IN LABOUR DAY
The union takes part in the march Past as well as officiate in Districts
where SESTUZ has been assigned. The union as an Employer uses this
day to award its deserving employees. These awards are usually
presented during a come together Party which is held at an identified
venue later in the day.
PRODUCTION OF MAGAZINES/NEWS LETTERS/BOOKLETS/BROCHURES
The union produces these material periodically to highlight the
activities it does. Some of these materials are used for advocacy while
others are used to show case what the union does.
PARTICIPATION IN INDEPENDENCE DAY
The union has always participated in every celebration of Independence
Day as a stakeholder of government. Very little activities are done that
involve SESTUZ workers or its members on this day and these activities
border on Community Service.
PARTICIPATION IN SIXTEEN DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GBV
The union engage in different activities during this period and these
activities are determined by the theme of the year. However regardless
of the theme of the year every activity the union implements does not
leave out the component of raising awareness on Gender Based Violence
(GBV).
The union always ensures that these activities are done in one
District per Province. These activities are implemented on rotational
basis. This is to mean that every year a different District hosts these
Activities.
EMPOWERING MEMBERS WITH LAND
In a quest to make the members prepare well for their retirement, the
union has embarked on the program of Acquiring land from the Council,
Private Land Owners and Chiefs (Traditional Land) across the country
so that it allows the members to get it while they pay for it under
flexible Terms of Payment.
WORKER EDUCATION
The union takes pride in leading a well enlightened Membership. So it
is for this reason that it takes pride in setting money aside for Worker
Education. With this money, the union ensures that members are given
education on various matters pertaining to their work and Cross
Cutting issues such as HIV/AIDS, GBV and COVID just to mention but a
few. This worker Education is done by leaders of the union at all Levels.
RECRUITMENT OF NEW MEMBERS
They say that unionism is in numbers, so the union has placed this
activity on top of its agenda. Right from its inception the union has
engaged in serious Recruitment Drive. It takes advantage of every
opportunity that avails itself to recruit.
For example recruitment is
done during School Visitation, when giving Worker Education, when
new Teacher are reporting, during the celebration of National Events
and through the incentives we provide for the members.
SCHOOL VISITATIONS
The union takes pride in member engagement and this is only achieved
during School visitation because members have the opportunity to
engage their leaders on a number of issues affecting them. So the union
has made it a priority to visit members in Schools every Month. All the
union leaders have been given the union’s target on School Visitation
which is at least two (2) Schools per Month in each District.
ATTEND NEGOTIATIONS
Every year before the expiry of the existing Collective Agreement, the
union take part in the negotiations for improved Salaries and
Conditions of Service. These are preceded by the preparation of the
demand Paper which the union prepares and later submit to
government three months before commencement of Negotiation.
ATTEND TO MEMBER GRIEVANCES
Attending to member grievance is one of the core business of the union.
So SESTUZ leaders have been presiding over all grievances presented
to it by its members.
PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO THE MEMBERS
When any member finds himself/herself in a case that requires legal
representation, the union has always been providing the Lawyer to
represent such a member in the Courts of Law.
GIVE ASSISTANCE TO MEMBERS IN DISTRESS
The union has always been giving assistance to members in Distress so
as to ease their burden.
ENGAGEMENT IN CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
SESTUZ endeavors to keep its image as a corporate entity by engaging
in Corporate Social Responsibility through making donations to
various entities as well as give sponsorship to identified vulnerable
learners.
HOLD CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOPS.
The union from time to time hold Capacity Building Workshops for its
leaders so that they are able to execute their work effectively.
HOLD CONSTITUTIONAL MEETINGS
The Constitution demands that the union hold these meetings as
stipulated. These Meetings are District Executive Committee (DEC)
Meetings, District Council Meetings, Provincial Executive Committee
(PEC) Meetings, Provincial Council Meetings, National Executive
Committee (NEC) Meetings and National Council Meeting.
So the union has endeavoured to hold these meetings as stipulated in the
Constitution. Through these meetings, major decisions are made which
gives the direction the union takes at any particular time.
HOLD CONFERENCES
These are held every after four years. The union from inception has
endeavoured to hold these Conferences every four years. These
Conferences are characterized by among other things, electing of the
new Office Bearers.
REPRESENT TEACHERS IN HUMAN RESOURCE COMMITTEES AND BOARDS
With the establishment of Human Resource Committees at National,
Provincial and District level, selected SESTUZ leaders were appointed
to seat on these Committees at the said levels. These leaders have been
representing members on all issues such Promotions and other matters
pertaining to the welfare of teachers which these Committees preside
over.
ATTEND STAKEHOLDERS MEETINGS
The union has always been taking part in Stake holders’ Meetings
which are called from time to time. These are initiated by either Party
as long as there concerns that require to be addressed. It is through
some of these stake holder meetings where some of the problems
affecting the members are resolved.
It is again in these same stake holder meetings where the union leaders advocate for among other
things the implementation of laws that improve the working
environment/conditions of the members. For example, our union has
been part and parcel of the meetings where union leaders have been
advocating for the ratification and domestication of Convention 190
which prohibits Sexual Harassment in the World of Work and
recommendation 206.
ENGAGE IN RESEARCH WORKS.
In order for the union to make informed decision on any matter, it
conducts research from time to time through the Directorate of
Research. When coming up with the Demand Paper, the union conducts
a research so that whatever is included in the paper is something the
leaders can defend with facts. This is not all, but the union does
conduct research whenever it is asked to make a presentation on
different Subjects before different Parliamentary Committees. This is
just to make sure that what is presented has quality and verifiable
information.
CARRY OUT AND PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES ORGANIZED BY ORGANIZATIONS THE UNION AFFILIATES TO.
SESTUZ affiliates to both local and international Organizations. At
local level it affiliates to Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU)
which is the largest Mother Body of unions in Zambia. It also affiliates
to Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC), a Coalition which
works with Faith Based Organizations (FBOs), Community Based
Organizations (CBOs). Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and
other Organizations which work within the Education Sector.
At International level, SESTUZ affiliates to Education International (EI).
So SESTUZ through these organizations has been participating in
activities organized by each one of them. Activities organized by these
organizations range from Meetings, Workshops to holding of
Congresses. By virtue of us being members of these organizations, we
are mandated to carry out activities that we collectively agree to
implement as individual unions. For example we are engaged in Gender
Based Violence (GBV) awareness activities as a union because both ZCTU
and EI has encouraged all member organizations to make this as a
constant activity if the vice is to be eliminated in our societies. Through
ZANEC, the Union has worked together with other organizations in
carrying out some activities.
For example we have been having meetings
where we have been sharing our experiences as organizations. We have
also been running campaigns on different social ills such as “Go Back
to School” Campaign as well as advocating for quality Education just
to mention but a few.
