BOTSWANA TEACHERS’ UNION VICE REGIONAL ORGANISERS INDUCTION WORKSHOP PRESENTATION ON RECOGNITION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EMPLOYER AND THE UNION (BTU) 80 YRS

What is it? It is agreement signed by both the employer and the Union for purposes of regulating the relationship. It means that the employer must negotiate with the Union in what is called collective bargaining 80 YRS

What is required for a Union to be recognised? Section 46 of the PSA , 2008 states: ‘A trade union which is representative of one third of the employees of the employer engaged in the same trade as members of the same union, may apply to the Director for recognition for purposes. Recognition of a trade union at the workplace is also provided for at Part xi section 48 of the Trade union and Employers Organisation Act. 80 YRS

Sections of the Recognition Agreement Section I: Definitions Deals with definitions of terms used in the agreement Section 2: Interpretation Deals with interpretation for all purposes in terms of the agreement Section 3: The intent and purpose of our agreement 80 YRS

Section 3:THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF OUR AGREEMENT It establishes the basis upon which the Employer recognises the Union (BTU) Promotion of mutual interests of the Employer and its employees who are members of the Union. Maintain good relations by fostering a spirit of understanding, cooperation and trust between employer, its employees and the Union 80 YRS

Section 4 – Freedom of our association Principle of freedom of association should be respected without any interference Management vs active participation 80 YRS

Section 5 Access to the workplace and facilities Utilisation of workplace and facilities by the union At least 5 days notification, except in cases of emergency Notification of your presence Section 6 - Deduction of Trade union dues Deals with organisational rights in so far as deductions of union dues are concerned (subscriptions and any other levies to be deducted from member) 80 YRS

Section 7 – Recognition and scope of recognition Deals with conditions for recognition and withdrawal of recognition Notification of elected members Notification of each party of any amendments of the constitution and policies Section 8 – Shopstewards Deals with elections, rights and obligation of shop stewards. (discussed in details by the first facilitator) Section 9 – Secondment Deals with secondment of union representatives 80 YRS

Section 10 – Union Leave States basis of granting paid union leave Sections 11 and 12 – Grievance and disciplinary procedures /Dispute settlement procedures Deals with parties agreeing on grievance and disciplinary measures, dispute settlement procedures. (to be addressed in details by D/S/G & Industrial Relations Officer) 80 YRS

Section 13 – Industrial Action Deals with exhaustion of negotiation and dispute resolution mechanisms before engaging or supporting Industrial action. Agreement on minimum service level during strike Essential service as defined in the Trade Dispute Act Section 14 – Communication Provides way the employer should communicate with the employees without undermining the union or process of collective bargaining 80 YRS

Section 15 – Obligations of parties Deals with obligations of each party for the document to be legally binding Section 16 – Duration of the agreement Duration of the agreement Section 17 – Addresses and Notices Provides for parties addresses Section 18 – Amendments and Termination Deals with terms of withdrawal and/or termination of the agreement Section 19 – Signatories Signatures of the party’s representative 80 YRS

THANK YOU 80 YRS