GOVERNANCE OF BARGAINING LEVELS AND BARGAINING COORDINATION

Abstract This article examines bargaining levels and coordination for collective bargaining in the public service in Botswana. Bargaining level coordination ensure that levels and bargaining units are integrated to harmonise the public service. To understand levels and coordination better the article explored how single and multi-employer bargaining relates to bargaining levels and coordination. Corporatism theory was incorporated to understand bargaining levels and coordination. The study used an Exploratory-Descriptive Qualitative (EDQ) research design. Fifteen participants were purposively selected form the public service and interviewed face to face. It was evident that the public service in Botswana does not have pre-established criteria for bargaining levels, coordination, favourability principle and derogation. The present analysis demonstrates that there is a hierarchical coordination of bargaining despite the ambiguity surrounding the bargaining levels. It was also evident that, due to the lack of public service bargaining councils, bargaining coordination has been challenge. Currently, there is no single bargaining council in Botswana. Establishing negotiating councils is crucial for the parties engaged in negotiations, as it will facilitate the establishment of mechanisms for coordinating negotiations, upholding the favorability principle, and ensure that all bargaining levels and units are well-aligned. To guarantee that bargaining levels and units are well-aligned, statutes establishing bargaining councils should include provisions for coordination processes, the favorability principle, and derogation. Baccaro (2003) noted that hierarchy and democracy are significant ways of bargaining level coordination. In order to prevent the risk of arbitrary abuse, it is advised that choices pertaining to all of the above be made in advance. Laws should expressly outline the situations that allows for favourability principle and derogation. The study made, theoretical, methodological as well as practical contributions.