In our Tuesday roundup, see summaries
of our selection of South African labour-
related stories that have appeared since
midday on Monday, 24 October 2016.
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Metrorail train driver’s fatal error led to Tembisa crash Human error was the cause of Monday’s collision between two Metrorail passenger trains, in which one person died and 243 commuters were injured. The crash happened on the railway line split from the Kaalfontein station towards the Oakmoor and Tembisa stations in Ekurhuleni. According to Metrorail, one of the trains passed a danger signal before colliding with the other train head-on. While Metrorail said a board of inquiry would be established to determine the root cause of the accident, a police spokesperson said a case of culpable homicide had been opened and would be investigated. Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) spokesperson Lillian Mofokeng confirmed that the preliminary finding was that human error led to the accident. She said 243 people had been injured, and the deceased was a young man his 20s who had been travelling from school. Based on reports on page 3 of The Citizen of 25 October 2016 and The Star. See too, Culpable homicide case opened following fatal Tembisa train crash, at The Citizen Satawu joins criticism of Prasa after Tembisa train crash TimesLive reports that the SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu) has added its voice to those condemning the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) for its alleged reluctance to improve train safety. More than 200 passengers were injured and one was killed when two trains collided between Kaalfontein and Tembisa, on the East Rand, on Monday. The union said it had been trying to secure a meeting with Prasa to discuss railway safety. Prasa apparently agreed to convene a national health and safety meeting once a quarter and hold monthly meetings at depots, but there hasn't been a meeting this year, the union claimed. Satawu is now demanding an investigation into the cause of the collision. Read this report by Kingdom Mabuza and Nomahlubi Jordaan in full at TimesLive. Read too, ‘Rail the safest mode of public transport‚’ says Metrorail in wake of fatal crash, at TimesLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
A new mining model is needed, says Benchmark Foundation Business Report writes that Bishop Jo Seoka, chairman of the Bench Marks Foundation (BMF), on Monday called for a new model for mining. He told delegates at the foundation’s two-day annual conference in Johannesburg, themed ‘Mining: Development or Disaster?’, that SA was in a crisis and mining was under immense pressure all over the continent. He maintained that not only was mining taking an enormous toll on people, undermining democracy, democratic institutions and political life, it was just not helping to solve Africa’s developmental needs. Seoka advocated “a rethink around mining models and fundamental change of the paradigm to one of a people-centred development and participatory approach.” He went on to say: “We strongly believe that this will only happen when people take ownership, distribute the benefits evenly and have a long-term plan of mining for people and development.” Read this report by Dineo Faku in full at Business Report. Read too, Mining industry must do more for communities, says BMF, at Mining Weekly. Read an extract from Bishop Seoka’s address to the conference at Business Report Chamber of Mines rejects criticism of SADC mining industry’s record ANA reports that the Chamber of Mines (COM) has rejected the view that the mining industry has had a purely negative impact on society in sub-Saharan Africa. Instead, the organisation said that the industry had been the basis for economic development in SA and many other parts of the developing world. This comes after the chairperson of the Bench Marks Foundation, Bishop Jo Seoka, on Monday said that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region had the worst health and poverty gap on the planet, despite it being a mineral rich resources region. In reply to this criticism, COM spokesperson Memory Johnstone said the mining industry continued to contribute significantly to the SA economy and that it did so not only at a macroeconomic level, but also at local and community levels. She did however acknowledge that the industry’s history “has not always been a proud one” and said it was “seeking a new way forward.” Read this report in full at Mining Weekly. Read too, Conference highlights economic, environmental challenges facing mining communities, at Mining Weekly Other labour posting(s) in this news category
Outsourcing at Unisa bites the dust after 10 months of deliberations The Citizen reports that outsourcing has fallen at the University of South Africa (Unisa) after 10 months of deliberations. A Multi-stakeholder Task Team (MSTT) has announced that the university would appoint 910 new members of staff in previously outsourced areas, including cleaning, security, gardening and waste-removal. The MSTT was established by a resolution of the Unisa Council at a special meeting in December, with a mandate to insource identified services in response to the nationwide call, largely by students, for academic institutions to end outsourcing. Sakhi Simelane, chair of the Unisa Council, said the agreement bore testimony to the "commitment, unwavering determination and resolution of all parties involved" to find amicable solutions to difficult problems. Based on a report by Virginia Keppler on page 8 of The Citizen of 25 October 2016. Read an extended summary of the report at SA Labour News
Ramaphosa commends work at Nedlac on labour relations and national minimum wage The Presidency reports that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa says he is pleased with the progress that is being made by the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) Task Teams on Labour Relations. He is also satisfied with the work of the advisory panel which was established to advise on the level at which the national minimum wage should be set. "Substantial progress is being made by Nedlac social partners on the negotiations on labour relations, with particular reference to labour market stability and the National Minimum Wage process on which the Panel on National Minimum Wage is scheduled to table a report to the Committee of Principals (COP) by the end of November 2016,” Ramaphosa indicated in a statement. He made the comments after the meeting of the Committee of Principals (COP) of Nedlac, which he chaired on Saturday in Johannesburg. Read this report in full at SA Govt News Agency. Read too, National minimum wage to be finalised by Nedlac by November, at Business Report. And also, Neil Coleman: Why National Minimum Wage negotiations are deadlocked, at GroundUp
Cutting costs will not mean job losses, NMBM tells unions HeraldLive writes that cutting operational costs in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro (NMBM) did not mean the metro’s new leadership would make employees’ lives miserable. This was the message budget and treasury head Retief Odendaal relayed to union bosses last week during a meeting in Port Elizabeth when the city’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) was discussed. The meeting was one in a series of IDP meetings held over the past few weeks under the Bay’s new administration. During last Monday’s meeting, metro officials engaged with union representatives over a number of issues which ranged from administrative concerns, job opportunities, service delivery and cost-cutting mechanisms to general operations. Read this report in full at HeraldLive
Fees Commission hears that TVET colleges are marginalised SABC News reports that the Fees Commission received written and oral evidence on the funding of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges on Monday. These were from the Ministerial Committee for the Review of TVET and Community Colleges and representatives of the TVET Colleges Governors Council (TVETCGC). Dr. Charles Sheppard, chairman of the Ministerial Committee, said the financial challenges faced by what he called “the marginalised colleges” were in some instances even greater that those faced by universities. He added: “The concern is that the university sector is a strong lobbying party and a sector. And the voice of the TVET colleges and the CET colleges is not heard. This is a very marginalised institution and my concern is that the more we invest in university level education, less money will be available for the TVET and CET colleges.” Read this report by Neo Makwiting in full at SABC News Western Cape education applies for interdict to prevent disruption of assessment tests Netwerk24 reports that the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has applied for an interdict which it hopes will prevent teachers’ union Sadtu and students’ organisation Cosas from disrupting the annual national assessment tests for learners. The tests are intended to assess literacy and numeracy of learners in grades 3, 6 and 9. According to the WCED, on 12 September 2016 Sadtu called for a boycott of the process and has actively tried to disrupt the tests being held at more than 100 schools. Amongst other things, the WCED has requested in the interdict application that Sadtu and Cosas be prohibited from coming within 500m of school property without permission and from intimidating teachers. Read this report by Maygene De Wee in full in Afrikaans at Netwerk24. And also, Sadtu in Western Cape won’t back down on systemic test boycott, at EWN
Boost for unemployed youth in NMB with 1,800 transport bursaries HeraldLive reports that in a massive boost for unemployed youth, the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro announced on Monday that 1,800 bursaries are up for grabs for those interested in pursuing a career in the transport industry. In partnership with the Transport Education and Training Authority (Teta), about R34-million has been set aside for the next two years as the city places transport at the centre of its economic growth strategies. The beneficiaries of the bursaries would be qualifying and deserving youth from disadvantaged areas of the metro. An agreement between the municipality and Teta – which will fund the R34-million in bursaries – will be signed on Thursday. Read this report by Avuyile Mngxitama-Diko in full at HeraldLive KZN medics given military training skills eNCA reports that new emergency services entrants in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) are being given military training skills. The provincial government believes it’s not enough to just ferry patients to the hospital and authorities want medics to be able to adapt to difficult challenges, at roadsides or drownings. The first group of 19 received their certificates at the Bluff Military base in Durban. They are now ready to go for advanced studies in emergency and rescue services. A short report is at eNCA Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Solidarity takes SABC to court over cancellation of sports commentator’s contract IOL News reports that trade union Solidarity plans to take the SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to court again after the broadcaster cancelled the contract of a senior sports commentator. The union said on Monday that freelancer Pieter van den Berg’s contract with the public broadcaster was unfairly ended following a racial dispute with a colleague, which took place in May. Solidarity believes due processes were not followed, which would have allowed consideration of the evidence in the case. According to the union, Van den Berg’s account of what happened was never considered. Solidarity’s pending court action follows a string of other cases the union has brought against the SABC. Read this report by Zintle Mahlati in full at IOL News. See too, Veteran sports broadcaster's contract cancelled after racism allegation, at News24. Read Solidarity’s press statement in this regard at Solidarity online
See our listing of links to labour articles published on the internet on Monday, 24 October 2016 at SA Labour News
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