Union issues FNB strike threat

WINDHOEKDENVER ISAACS

The Namibia Bank and Allied Workers Union (NBWU) yesterday stepped up the pressure in its wage negotiations with FNB Namibia.
The parties go into a dispute resolution meeting today with the Office of the Labour Commissioner after they reached deadlock in negotiations.
The bank is offering an average 7% salary increase, while the union is demanding 10%, after initially wanting 12%.
NBWU secretary-general Lawrence Ihuhua yesterday threatened the bank with a possible strike by union members, to be preceded by a demonstration next Wednesday.
"It was clear during the last few days of salary negotiations that an agreement will be difficult, and when this was confirmed, the union's negotiation team decided to get input from members, asking them if they were prepared to accept the bank's offer. The bargaining council also stressed the need for the modest salaries in an institution such as the bank that employs highly qualified staff, and do not need to benchmark on economic performance, but should align remuneration with productivity," Ihuhua said.
He rejected the bank's argument that the union no longer enjoyed majority status, and thus could not act as a negotiator.
"We are going to continue engaging the bank, so as to accomplish an amicable solution to this deadlock. However, we warn the bank as an employer that our members reserve the right to withdraw their labour if they do not get a sizeable wage increase and an acceptable response to their demands," he said.
"First National Bank must act responsibly to ensure fair pay for our members and to ensure we do not act in such a way that will add to our country's current economic and inflationary pressures. The union may hold a strike ballot in the event that the matter is not resolved."