A MODEL FOR CONCEPTUALISING THE CIVIL SERVICE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING IN ZIMBABWE

Abstract

The issues of salary negotiations and other conditions of service in Zimbabwe’s public sector, have always been contentious issues following the failure by both, the employer (Government) and employees (civil servants) to seriously engage in collective bargaining for time immemorial. The civil servants through their representatives, staff associations and their coalition body, the Apex council have often resorted to collective job action or labour unrest in a bid to force government to accede to their demands. This has always resulted in poor labour relations between the two parties. The study used the library analysis and interviews which culminated in interesting findings such as; civil servants were consulted through their coalition body, the Apex council. They were not involved in the final decisions. That was left to the prerogative of the labour minister, cabinet and treasury. The study recommended that there was need to amend both the Public Service Act and the Amended Labour Act 2 :01 (2015) and be aligned with the New National Constitution of 2013 which has provision for collective bargaining. Also staff associations who represent the civil servants’ different professionals should speak with one voice so that there is a holistic approach without prioritising sectoral