Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) employees have risen against the workers union, accusing its leadership of betraying the members after reaching a compromise with management and the ministry of Information.

And renowned veteran ZNBC cameraman Chomba Yumbe has resigned as president of the Zambia Union of Broadcasters and other Information Disseminators (ZUBID), saying he had opted to remain an ordinary member of the union.

According to a letter from the ZNBC Lusaka branch, the workers have passed a vote of no confidence in their union, saying the leadership was acting unilaterally and to the disadvantage of the employees concerns over delayed salaries.

“Reference is made to the above subject. The Lusaka Branch executive committee has with immediate effect passed a vote of no confidence in all the National Executive Committee leaders and have since recalled them from the positions they held,” the letter read in part.

“The Branch Executive Committee during a full executive meeting held on 5th March 2018 in the ZUBID Branch Office decided to recall all the national leaders with an exception of Multichoice leaders only.”

The workers went ahead to give reasons why they were demanding of the resignation of their union representatives.

“The following are the reasons that have prompted this decision: 1. Whereas the ZUBID President, without consulting the branch leaders and the general membership, on 6th February decided to meet the Ministers of Information and Labour who were summoned to address members over the plight of the institution, at the time when they had gathered in the [ZNBC] cinema hall,” the employees stated.

“The president was later seen bidding farewell to the Minister of Information who was being awaited for in the [ZNBC] cinema hall by all members of staff and later went to offer an explanation which was never satisfactory. The Lusaka Branch on 12th February summoned the president and a few NEC officials to register our displeasure about what had transpired.”

The employees charged that Yumbe and his entire national executive had betrayed the interests of the membership.

“Whereas you abrogated a joint agreement between the two unions not to attend a meeting that was convened by management over delayed salaries on 1st March 2018, a written response to management about the decision to which you even signed but later betrayed the resolution and attended the meeting,” stated the employees.

And Yumbe tendered in his resignation letter on Tuesday addressed to the ZUBID secretary general.

“I wish to inform you that I have with immediate effect resigned as ZUBID president. I wish you all the best in your endeavor to make our union strong and that you will speak and fight for the betterment of us as members. I will remain an ordinary member of the union,” wrote Yumbe.