܍ It was predicated on the Supreme Court ruling of 1995. It received its first Recognition Agreement with government the following year in 1996.

܍ There is collective bargaining power for better salaries and improved conditions of service. Members benefit from the better salaries negotiated for as well as improved conditions of service

܍ Job security – protection against unfair dismissal, work place discrimination and other forms of injustice.

܍ The union provides legal assistance and representation to members facing work place grievances or disciplinary action to ensure just treatment.

܍ Access to training programmes for professional development

܍ Membership to a union is not mandatory. It is a matter of choice. However, the benefits of belonging to a union transcend the subscription

܍ There is collective bargaining power for better salaries and improved conditions of service ܍ Job security – protection against unfair dismissal, work place discrimination and other forms of injustice.

܍ The union provides legal assistance and representation to members facing work place grievances or disciplinary action to ensure just treatment.

܍ Access to training programmes for professional development

܍ The law provides that the employer and employee shall agree to remit a subscription of not more than 2% of one’s Basic Salary to a trade union.

܍ Union subscriptions play an important role in funding various programmes undertaken by the union such as collective bargaining, Worker Education programmes, advocacy for workers’ rights, training programmes and legal support. Other significant programmes on which the union spends include;

܍ Remittance of 25% of the subscription to the mother body, The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU)

܍ Payment of office space at secretariat, all provinces and some districts. The union prides itself on formidable structures throughout the country hence its renowned reputation.

܍ Funding of provinces and districts on a monthly basis for their operations

܍ As an employer, pays its workers (Salaries) using the same funds

܍ Payment of Statutory Obligations in accordance with the law

܍ Expending colossal sums to procure regalia on calendar days for its members throughout the country

܍ Enormous expenditure on teacher incentives such as calendars, diaries, pens, lab coats and acquisition of land etc

܍ Procurement of motor vehicles, fuels and lubricants for day-to-day union operations

܍ Affiliation to kindred organisations e.g. Education International (EI)

܍ Attending many meetings and functions with key stake holders at union’s cost because the union cannot exist in isolation.

܍ Attending to other Social Cooperate Responsibilities

܍ Provision of financial and material aid to members in distress

܍ Members are encouraged to channel their grievances through the provided structures in the union beginning with their local (school) leadership. If not resolved, these grievances are then forwarded to the next levels until the matters are resolved favourably.

܍ Indeed! Training opportunities provided by the union include workshops, seminars, online courses, formal educational programmes in partnership with higher institutions of learning in courses such as those for career advancement, skills development and leadership training among others.

܍ SESTUZ has highly qualified and seasoned leaders of valour who will represent members effectively at any front within its jurisdiction.

܍ It is a democratic and transparent union which embraces inclusivity.

܍ Procurement of regalia.

܍ Procurement of pens, diaries, lab coats, calendars

܍ Acquisition of land which members obtain at zero interest rates and favourable payment plans

܍ Financial assistance in times of distress

܍ Legal representation

܍ Not at the moment

܍ It doesn’t necessarily give scholarships but may sometimes provide financial assistance to those pursuing studies depending on circumstances.

܍ It doesn’t. Additionally, there is no known union which has ever done that as that is outside the mandate of unions.

܍ SESTUZ was formed solely to represent secondary school teachers and does not have any conflict of interest.

܍ SESTUZ, a union for secondary school teachers promulgates all conditions of service enjoyed by secondary school teachers.

A distinct salary scale for degree holders (I), responsibility allowance for teachers teaching senior classes, reintroduction of retention allowance for science, Mathematics, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) awaiting cabinet approval etc.

All these conditions are credited to SESTUZ

܍ Although this is a popularly held view, it is totally false.

܍ This allegation is not correct. There are checks and balances at every level and especially on money matters. It is gratifying to note that members have a say on these salaries through their representatives.

The union pays its workers based on the assessment of the committee which represents members, taking into account comparisons with workers in similar fields.

Comparatively SESTUZ workers are not among the highly paid as at present, underscoring sacrifices made by these workers for the benefit of the union and its’ members.

܍ Additionally, union accounts are always audited, leaving no room for misappropriation of the much-cherished funds.

܍ Yes, they are audited annually as it is a requirement by law.

܍ No, the union by registration does not make profits neither does it get external funding.

܍ The primary mandate of the union is to represent members and negotiate for better salaries and improved conditions of service. The subscriptions that are received on a monthly basis serve to carter for the operations of the union at branch (school), district, provincial and national levels including many other responsibilities that the union is tasked with.

Additionally, it procures quality regalia, land and other incentives for its members at huge costs. It is worth noting that union subscriptions do not accumulate as they are expended on a monthly basis.

(Union operations include but not limited to the following; Worker Education, attending to member grievances, negotiations, assisting members in distress attending to stake holder meetings, participating in national events)

܍ We do consult through the structures which are the provincial and district leaders. It is out of the understanding that the structures equally consult the general membership.

܍ We do consult through the structures which are the provincial and district leaders. It is out of the understanding that the structures equally consult the general membership

܍ Negotiations start with preparation of the demand paper done by unions and submitted to government three months before the start of negotiations. After government has studied the Demand Paper, it then convenes a meeting (Negotiations) where demands presented are looked at.

The outcome of these negotiations is as a result of (what the members achieve)

܍ IRLA stipulates that negotiations to commence 3 months before expiry of the collective agreement however, the unions present their demands before budget presentation. By the time presents budget, govt knows demands from the union.

܍ Some of the issues include; Procurement of regalia, giving loans, financial assistance, assistance during funerals, representation on non-work-related cases

܍ According to the law, they are not supposed to.

܍ According to the law, they are not supposed to