Business Report writes that Cosatu has condemned the “unfair dismissal” of four First National Bank (FNB) employees for making insulting comments about the DA leader Mmusi Maimane on WhatsApp and many other political comments.  

It has called on the bank to reconsider its decision and to reinstate them.  In a statement on Monday, the labour federation stated:  "No worker should be denied their right to earn a living because of some verbal infelicities.  These workers have a constitutionally protected right to hold and express their views.  While all employers have a legitimate level of curiosity on what their employers do and say during working hours, we reject the idea that people should be punished for participating in national discourse, even if they are using a flippant and jeering tone."  The four, who were employed as premium bankers in Sandton, were fired for “political talk and using insulting language” after the bank monitored their business e-mails and WhatsApp group conversations for several months last year.  

• Read this report in full at Business Report
• Read Cosatu’s press statement at SA Labour News
• See too, Cosatu kap FNB oor afgedankte werkers, at Netwerk24 (limit on access)
• And also, ‘White wife’ jibe backfires on FNB employees, at IOL News
• As well as, Former FNB employees claim bank spied on them before dismissals, at EWN

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page