THE Copperbelt University has charged and suspended nine unionised workers for alleged gross misconduct.

In a letter dated February 16, 2018 seen by The Mast, CBU registrar Helen Mukumba gave the affected workers, including workers’ union leaders, seven days to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against them for misconduct.

“One of the workers has been told that he participated in displaying insulting and derogatory messages on placards directed at the minister. There is also an allegation of participating in an unlawful protest and confrontation of the Vice-Chancellor, leading to the locking up of the VC’s office,” the source said, revealing contents of one of the letters.

“So these colleagues of ours have been given seven days to show cause to management why disciplinary action should not be taken against them. This is unfair”

And CBU charged another worker with riotous behaviour or unconstitutional strike contrary to the disciplinary code of the Copperbelt University and Allied Workers’ Union. The charge followed the worker’s alleged failure to exculpate himself on a charge of gross misconduct.

Mukumba warned that the offences amounted to gross misconduct, which was punishable by dismissal under the disciplinary code.

“…We wish to bring it to your attention that you were given an opportunity to respond to the allegations within seven days from receipt of the mentioned letter. However, we have noted that you have not responded to the allegations up to date. Therefore, we write to advise you that following your non-response to the above mentioned letter, you are hereby formally charged with the following offence: ‘Riotous behaviour of unconstitutional strike’ contrary to paragraph 1.26 of the disciplinary code for the Copperbelt University and Allied Workers Union. Consequent to that, you are hereby suspended from carrying out your duties as cleaner with immediate effect for a period of five months pending determination of your case,” Makumba stated.

She stated that the affected worker would be on half salary during his suspension.

And during a media briefing at CBU yesterday, Copperbelt University and Allied Workers’ Union president Derrick Ntalasha, who represented the three workers’ unions, said the resolution to pass a “vote of no confidence” in Prof Ngoma’s leadership was irreversible.

He said the collective resolutions had blessings from the over 380 workers, not only a few as it was said by Kwacha member of parliament Joseph Malanji.

Ntalasha said the three unions were disappointed with Malanji for they had agreed to give him chance to help resolve their grievances by engaging the President.

He said the unions’ expectation was to see Malanji back to the university to address workers on what he had promised them during a meeting.

“We are disappointed because the three stakeholder unionised workers on Thursday…at which it was resolved that we give him a chance to look at our grievances and engage the Republican President and get back to us in the second week of January on condition that both sides cease fire and our expectation was that he will come back to us but his statement is a clear breach of the conditions of the cease fire,” Ntalasha said.

He accused Malanji of misinforming the nation that a few lecturers had hidden interest and were influencing the stakeholders to riot because all the three unions had resolved to pass a vote of no confidence in Prof Ngoma.

Ntalasha said Malanji “should not fall for Prof Ngoma’s lies” as the union was behind his (Malanji’s) participation in the renovation of the institution.