Striking South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) members demonstrating for an increase in wages. The union and the government are seeking to reach an agreement to the labor despite., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
COSATU in N Cape is shocked and angered at shooting, assault and arrest of striking miners
16 October 2012
The Congress of South African Trade Unions in the Northern Cape is shocked and angered at the shooting, assault and arrest of the striking miners in Sishen Iron Ore mine near Kathu. We have also learned about the mass dismissals of workers for embarking on an illegal strike and taking possession of the machinery and equipment.
We are aware that the workers have embarked on an unprotected strike but it is worth noting that the strike was triggered by the hardened attitude of the mine bosses who refused to engage with the workers when they wanted to engage them on their conditions of work.
It is sad to learn that the workers have been assaulted shot at and arrested while they were on a peaceful strike action. If the company could put the police and private security on the workers inside the workplace that therefore means that workers at Sishen Iron Ore mine are not safe in the workplace.
We are also concerned that the management of the company violated their own safety regulations by allowing police who have not been orientated about the safety rules to drive cars that are not designed to drive in the mine premises. We will, together with the NUM, call for the investigation of the matter so that the culprits can be taken to book. Mine health and safety is not on the discretion of the employer therefore they cannot have an exclusive right to violate such.
COSATU together with NUM tried to engage the management of the company with the aim to get a peaceful resolution of the situation but the management remained intransigent. It is our considered view that there was a clear possibility to resolve this impasse on Tuesday last week if the company did not adopt an “I don’t care attitude” as they did when we met.
We are still committed to finding an amicable solution to the problems in Sishen if the management is committed to such and we will call on the CEO of Kumba Iron Ore to intervene on this matter since it is clear that their General Manager is not fit to handle labour relations matters. We are also convinced that the information that they have consistently sent to their head office was false and the head office does not have the facts to the developments.
It would be important for the company to deploy representatives from their head office to come into a meeting between Kumba, COSATU and NUM together with some representatives of the workers so as to get a true account of the development of events. If that meeting can be convened as a matter of urgency, we are certain that the company will discover the truth that the situation has been triggered by Marius Mathee and Andrew Loots.
We call on the SAPS to release the workers who have been arrested and conduct thorough investigations before arrests. The company must take responsibility for the workers who have been injured and hospitalised and ensure that the situation remains safe and peaceful. Their obsession with maximum profits will not help the situation and they must be careful not to provoke the workers and the people in the communities surrounding the mine.
For more information please call the COSATU N Cape Provincial Secretary, Anele Gxoyiya, @ 082 829 1961
Why Rea Vaya workers are striking
16 October 2012
The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) in the Johannesburg Region is concerned by the wage disparities that currently exist in the City of Johannesburg entity Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT). These disparities have caused workers to withdraw their labour and embark on an indefinite strike.
The position of a bus driver and a dispatcher according to the employer are positions that are equal to one another, yet these two positions are not remunerated the same, causing deep frustrations amongst workers of this entity.
Together with wage disparities, there also are disparities in workers retirement funds and the money that is being contributed on behalf of the employer.
The Union has been through a number of processes already to try and resolve the disparities that currently exist in the entity, including engagements with the CCMA, face to face negotiations and bilateral meetings with the Member of the Mayoral Committee Rehana Moosajee responsible for transport. However a settlement could not be reached.
Contrary to what Rea Vaya Management has said - this issue cannot be resolved at the level of the national South African Local Government Bargaining Council - it must be discussed and resolved at a local level amongst the various stakeholders, as it is a local issue and not a national one.
Management of the Rea Vaya entity together with the City of Johannesburg are failing to address these disparities. We are calling upon Management to immediately address these long standing issues at the entity.
For more information contact SAMWU’s Phumlile Shange, on 0794995665.
Issued by;
Tahir Sema.
South African Municipal Workers` Union of COSATU
National Media and Publicity Officer
tahir.sema@samwu.org.za
Office: 011-492 2835
Fax: 0866186479
Cell: 0829403403
SAMWU Eastern Cape Municipal Manager allegedly protecting individuals
16 October 2012
The Municipal Manager of Cacadu District Municipality Mr. Ted Pillay is allegedly protecting individuals of the District Municipality, as serious allegations of fraud and corruption have been levelled.
On the 18th July 2012 the South African Municipal Workers Union reported and gave the Municipal Manager Mr Ted Pillay documents to investigate, we believe there are serious issues of corruption contained in this document.
The Union alleges that Ms Tilani Botes was actively involved in giving her husband Municipal business to translate various documents. At the time the contract was awarded to Botes husband, their company had no tax certificate and was not even registered on the data base as a supplier.
To make matters worse, the company does not even have the necessary expertise to perform such work. Mr Pillay to this date has not made the report available to the Union so that we can prove that there is no fraud and corruption committed by Mrs Botes and other officials involved; instead he wrote a letter telling the Union there is no act of fraud or corruption committed by Mrs Botes and the other official involved in the matter.
The very same Mrs Botes who is the Manager Finance was paid an amount of R43 000 for working overtime and this is against both Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997; The Main Collective Agreement as well as the Overtime policy of the Municipality which regulates overtime. This was also mentioned to the Municipal Manager but nothing was done about it.
Mr Pillay is acting inconsistently on alleged corruption, in a matter similar to this one he suspended certain officials, charged them and reported the matter to the police. This Union cannot accept the fact that the Municipal Manager of this District Municipality turns a blind eye when allegations are levelled against certain officials within the Municipality, particularly white officials.
Matters of discipline in this Municipality have a preferential element, depending on how close you are to the Municipal Manager. SAMWU refuses to allow this Municipal Manager to run this Municipality in the way that he is.
We have also reported the matter to the MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs Mlibo Qoboshiyane and he has committed to look into the matter. The Union is also taking this matter to the Public Protector for investigation.
In addition to this we have referred the matter to the CCMA for conciliation, in line with section 14 and 16 of the LRA 66 1195 and the matter was schedule for the 12 October 2012, however the Municipality did not show up for the conciliation and the dispute remains unresolved.
The Municipal Manager has no respect for labour matters and he is doing this with the firm backing and support of the Executive Mayor Ms Kekana.
The Union has withdrawn all its participation and engagements with the employer until the report is made available to the Union; on the issue of both the translation and overtime payment. We strongly believe the Municipal Manager has been bias and lacked objectivity in the matter.
We are calling upon the public of Cacadu to put pressure on the Municipality, as we believe more could be revealed with regards to the finances of this Municipality.
For more information contact SAMWU`s Chumani Gqeke 0827289512
Issued by:
Tahir Sema.
South African Municipal Workers` Union of COSATU
National Media and Publicity Officer
tahir.sema@samwu.org.za
Office: 011-492 2835.
Fax: 0866186479.
Cell: 0829403403.
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