ZAMBIA UNION OF NURSES ORGANISATION

1. ZAMBIA UNION OF NURSES ORGANISATION ZNA TO ZUNO TRANSFORMATION PROCESS 1

2. Brief background of ZNA Zambia Nurses Association is a professional body, non-governmental and non-partisan organization which was founded in 1950 by nurses to represent interests of nurses and Midwives in Zambia. 2

3. The vision of Nurses in 1950 To advocate for legislation of Nursing/Midwifery To train nurses and midwives in the country To care for the Care – Givers. To advocate for higher education for nurses and midwives To advocate for Socio-economic welfare for Nurses and Midwives 3

4. 1951 – Northern Rhodesia Nurses Association was accepted as an associate member of the International Council of Nurses (ICN), and, 1953 – Northern Rhodesia Nurses Association was admitted to full membership at the ICN congress which was held in Brazil. At this time the young association could not afford to send representatives, instead South Africa represented the Northern Rhodesia Nurses Association at this congress. In the same year, (1953), Northern Rhodesia Nurses Association was registered with the Registrar of Societies to give it full legal mandate under the country law to operate business as an Association. 4

5. 1956 – The Florence Nightingale House was build to accommodate retired nurses of that time (i.e. caring for the carers) 1965 – The Association attended the ICN Conference in Frankfurt as Zambia Nurses Association the name which was adopted after independence, when Northern Rhodesia became Zambia 1965 – Through the advocacy of nurses and midwives (ZNA) and other medical professionals, working together with the Zambian Government, the Medical and Allied Professions Act was passed in parliament: this gave birth to the Medical Council of Zambia (MCZ – A regulatory board for medical, paramedical and nursing professions, at that time) 5

6. 1970 – Nurses were not satisfied for belonging to the MCZ; they wanted their own professional regulatory board. Therefore, further efforts of advocacy through ZNA resulted in the Nurses and Midwives Act of 1970 being passed in parliament. This brought about the birth of the General Nursing Council of Zambia (GNC)   1970 - ZNA organized and held a regional conference – attended by representatives from eight (8) African Countries. The aim was to study the role of Nurses in total health care programmes and establishment of the Post Basic Nursing Education. 6

7. Transformation of ZNA into a trade union 1974 – ZNA held an annual General Meeting at Ndola Sisters’ Mercy: A resolution was made to amend article 3 of the ZNA Constitution and included negotiations (trade union’s role) for nurses and midwives improved salaries and conditions of service.   1985 – The Post Basic Nursing Department was opened at the University Of Zambia School Of Medicine. The vision of the founder nurses to have higher education for nurses was achieved.   7

8. 1985 – 1995: A lot of advocacy, lobbying and discussions designed to influence ZNA to start negotiating for nurses and midwives were attempted, but in vain.   2002 - at the 2nd Biennial Scientific Congress Nurses resolved to explore the possibilities to transform ZNA into a Trade Union.   2003 – The First follow up workshop on the resolution to transform ZNA into a Trade Union was held at Lusaka Hotel which was attended by National Council members and branch chairpersons. 2003 – Following this workshop ZNA wrote to the Labour Commission requesting for guidelines on how to go about transforming into a Trade Union. 8

9. 2004: Guidance was sort from the labour commissioner on how best ZNA could implement its member’s resolution to transform ZNA into a Trade Union. In response the labour commissioner sent to ZNA application forms for ZNA to be registered as a trade union.   2004 – Following the Response from the Labour Commissioner, ZNA engaged a Consultant (Lawyer) to carry out a feasibility study.   September 2004 – A Position Paper on Transformation of ZNA into a Trade Union was developed and submitted to the Labour Commissioner with other documents. 9

10. 2004 – The ZNA Constitution was amended at the 3rd Biennial Congress held in Livingstone to include articles on labour matters.   1st November 2004 – ZNA applied to Ministry of Labour and Social Services for registration as a Trade Union.   August 2005 – A Concept Paper on the Transformation of ZNA into a Professional and Socio-Economic Welfare was developed.   2006 – A 2nd workshop on transformation of ZNA into a trade union was held from 26th to 28th April 2006 at Lodge Serenity, Lusaka – Zambia.   July, 2006 - a petition for judicial review was tabled before the high court, after ZNA realized that Government was reluctant to register the nurses’ report. 10

11. On 29th August 2006 – The High Court delivered its ruling, and it was in favour of ZNA: All the reliefs sort by ZNA were granted.   FROM ZNA TO ZUNO 20th June 2007, the ZNA application for registration as a trade union was successful. Therefore, the nurses’ union was registered under the name, Zambia Union of Nurses Organization (ZUNO) with Registration certificate No. 91.   September 2007 – An application for recognition agreement with government was made, so at the time of this report there was no feed back yet. 11

12. 7th May 2007 - in accordance with the ZNA Constitution; Article 26, Section 5 and 6, a ZUNO Constitution Review Committee was appointed to review the ZNA Constitution. Members appointed to this committee include; Aaron Banda, Kaleni School of Nursing Acting Principal Tutor (Chairperson) Dorcas Phiri, General Nursing Council Standards and Compliance Manager (Secretary) Pumulo Masiye, Mukinge School of Nursing Nurse Tutor Mailes C. Kamwendo, Former ZNA National Board Member Thom D. Yung’ana, ZUNO President Liseli Sitali, ZUNO General Secretary Jennifer M. Munsaka, ZUNO Director of Programmes and Professional Affairs 10th – 14th July 2007 – A Constitution Review Workshop Process took place in Kabwe 12

13. 14TH December 2007 – The Zambia Nurses Association (ZNA) was dissolved at the ZNA Extra-Ordinary and 54th General Assembly held in Lusaka at the Andrews Motel. 15th December 2007 – A new leadership was elected to ZUNO. Leaders elected are as follows: 13

14. ZUNO National Executive Committee 14

15. 16th December 2007 – 1st ZUNO National Executive Committee (NEC) Meeting. 5th February 2008 – Courtesy Call paid on the ZCTU President 7th February 2008 – 2nd NEC Meeting. During this meeting members were appointed to serve in the following committees; 15

16. ZUNO Standing Committees 16

17. 11th June 2009 – Recognition Agreement was signed between ZUNO and Lusaka Trust Hospital (a private health institution) 16th June 2009 – Recognition Agreement was signed between ZUNO and the Government Republic of Zambia 30th June 2009 – Public Service Management Division allocated ZUNO a deduction code 5207 17