Today's Labour News

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‘There has to be a better, less expensive way to resolve labour disputes without resort to strikes’

Theto Mahlakoana analyses the Department of Labour’s recently released 2017 Industrial Action report and concludes that the report shows once more that there are no winners when workers head for the picket line, but the biggest loser is labour.  In 2017 workers lost R251m in wages, compared with R161m in 2016, a 56% increase.  Industrial action also has costly consequences for the economy and affected businesses.  A total of 960,889 man days, the most time yet, was lost to strike action in 2017.  Among the workers who take to the streets are the country’s majority working poor, who earn less than R3,500 a month and have few assets or savings.  Some take more than seven years to recover from the impact financially.  Even when unions score victories for workers, the amount of money lost during strikes tends to hollow out such wins.  The writer takes the view that, if unions honestly outlined the potential costs and the possible benefits of strike action, there would surely be less aggressive rhetoric.  The struggle to recover lost wages due to the no-work, no-pay rule means most long strikes defeat the object — so the onus is on the unions to find other ways to exert pressure on employers.  The same responsibility confronts employers, who can also set their businesses back years by failing to do everything possible to avoid strikes.  The writer concludes that there has to be a better, less expensive way for employers and employees to resolve disputes without workers resorting to strike action and a paradigm shift by employers and unions over disputes is needed.

Read this well-argued and timely opinion piece at BL Premium (paywall access)

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY

Technology may hold the solution to cash-in-transit heists

BusinessLive reports that a technological battle to fight back against brazen cash-in-transit robbers has begun.  But while advances are being made in safety and security mechanisms to protect millions of rand in cash transported across SA daily‚ there is little legislation setting minimum standards for technology to be installed in vehicles or to compel cash-in-transit companies to use the technology.  This was the message at a panel discussion on Tuesday on potential solutions to cash heists.  The discussion‚ which involved the Gauteng government‚ police‚ Interpol and cash-in-transit security experts‚ witnessed a demonstration of the latest technology to protect money transported by road and being delivered to and collected from shops.  "With over 170 cash-in-transit vans attacked on the roads since January‚ now more than ever we need everyone on board to combat these attacks‚" said AllCash CEO Graeme King.  He added that a problem was that technology‚ which was being developed at a rapid rate by several companies in SA‚ was not being widely used by cash-in-transit companies.  "Companies need to realise that it’s imperative that they start to deploy this technology to both save lives and protect assets," he urged.

Read this informative report by Graeme Hosken in full at BusinessLive

MINING LABOUR

Minerals Council to launch national campaign of Safety and Health Days in Mining

Mining Weekly reports that in light of the growing number of fatalities in SA mines, the Minerals Council SA (formerly called the Chamber of Mines) plans to launch a national campaign of Safety and Health Days in Mining, in mid-August.  The campaign will be in addition to the active steps being taken by the Minerals Council (MCSA) and its members to address the industry’s safety performance and will be aimed at getting the industry’s quest for zero harm back on track.  “This [health and safety] day will mark both the remembrance of those whose lives have been lost in mining, and a renewed and absolute commitment by all member companies to the safety and health of employees as the primary objective of every company,” MCSA president Mxolisi Mgojo indicated.  In terms of the campaign, in August every member company would initiate a Safety and Health Day at its operations, representing a visible commitment that safety and health were the foremost priorities for the industry’s leadership.

Read this report in full at Mining Weekly

Trade unions to respond on Wednesday to wage offers in gold mining sector

ANA reports that trade unions were expected to formally respond to wage offers tabled by gold producers when the third round of negotiations resumed on Wednesday.  At the second round of talks, gold producers had tabled opening wage increase offers, for a three-year deal, ranging between 5.5% and 6.5% for underground employees, and between 3% and 4.5% for miners, artisans and officials.  "These wage offers are not even close to what our members are demanding.  The gold producers have been very arrogant in their approach to this wage negotiations to the extent that their offer on the table smacks of insults and arrogance," National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) spokesperson Livhuwani Mammburu said at the end of the second round.  The majority union in the gold sector, the NUM, had previously tabled an entry-level monthly demand of R9,500 for surface workers, R10,500 for underground workers and 15% across the board for officials, in a two-year deal.  It had also demanded a living out allowance of R3,000 and a housing allowance of R5,000.  The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union’s (Amcu’s) demand was for a R12,500 minimum wage for all employees between categories four to eight.

Read this report in full at Mining Weekly

INDUSTRIAL ACTION / STRIKES / LOCK-OUTS

Monday’s Gautrain strike up in the air as talks stall

The Citizen reports that the United National Transport Union (Untu) is hopeful about resolving a wage deadlock with the Bombela Operating Company, which runs the Gautrain, despite a last-minute cancellation of a meeting scheduled for Thursday.  At the centre of the dispute is a demand by Untu for a 10% wage increase across the board, while Bombela is offering 8%.  According to Untu general secretary Steve Harris, the union planned to give Bombela 48 hours’ notice prior it its members embarking on a protected strike on Monday.  He indicated that Bombela chief executive Arnaud Legrand “decided to cancel a crucial meeting with us.  But we are not worried because we have been here before.”  Harris went on to say:  “He said he did not want to talk any further but we maintain there is a lot at stake and he cannot just walk away.  For the past five years, this is how management has dealt with us.”  Harris said employees, who included train drivers, security personnel, access controllers, train guards and ticket sales staff, were “adamant their demands should be met”.  A Bombela spokesperson said the company would only be in a position to comment on the wage stand-off sometime on Wednesday.

Read this report by Brian Sokutu in full at The Citizen

PROTESTS / MARCHES / CAMPAIGNS

KZN south coast residents without water again as protesters demand jobs

Timeslive reports that the water supply on the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) south coast was held hostage on Wednesday by a group of protesters in the Harding community.  The protesters refused to allow workers into the water treatment plants until the Ugu district municipality employed them as truck drivers and general workers.  In a statement‚ Ugu municipal spokesman France Zuma said the protest started last week when community members blocked the entrance to the municipal office.  He indicated:  "Countless meetings were convened by the leadership of the municipality with the protesters‚ where outrageous demands of employment of Harding residents for all the occupied positions of truck drivers and general workers were made.  It became abundantly clear during the meetings that the protesters were determined to cause a complete shutdown of municipal services in the area."  The action has resulted in water outages in most areas falling under the Umuziwabantu municipality.  The Ugu district municipality has been plagued by water woes as its pipeline has been repeatedly "held hostage" and sabotaged.

Read this report by Nivashni Nair in full at Timeslive

EFF supporters march on East London businesses 'exploiting workers'

SowetanLive reports that a number of leading businesses in East London were forced to shut their doors on Tuesday when EFF supporters marched to their premises protesting against alleged exploitation of workers by these companies.  The political party‚ which is rallying support for its fifth birthday bash at Sisa Dukashe stadium on Saturday‚ warned that it was on a roll and that more businesses would be receiving “visits” from the EFF protesters.  Videos of hundreds of people draped in EFF regalia singing and dancing in front of the businesses went viral on social media.  The demonstrations came after workers from 35 East London companies filed complaints with the party led by firebrand Julius Malema‚ who has been whipping up support in the metro.

A short report by Malibongwe Dayimani & Simthandile Ford is at SowetanLive

WAGE DISPUTES

Unions warn of strike by road freight drivers

BusinessLive reports that trade unions representing workers in the road freight and logistics industry have warned of a strike that could affect key industries in SA’s economy.  The action could encompass cash-in-transit guards, couriers and truck drivers.  A wage dispute between parties at the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI) has been referred to the CCMA for conciliation.  The parties will apparently engage on 1 August and should no agreement be reached by 17 August, a strike certificate might be issued.  In wage talks that commenced on 4 June, workers demanded 32% wage increases across the board for three years, coming to 10.6% each year from 2018, while employers offered 18%.  Unions also tabled a precedent-setting demand that foreign nationals be limited to 25% of the overall employees in each company in the sector.  For cash-in-transit employees, the unions want employers to hire extra security and for minimum wages to be increased to R20,000 a month due to the dangers faced on the job.  The wage demand truck drivers amounts to R15,000 a month.

Read this report by Theto Mahlakoana in full at BusinessLive. Read too, Labour unions warn of looming road freight industry strike, at The Citizen

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT

DPSA launches public service graduate recruitment scheme

ANA reports that that the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) was due on Wednesday to launch a public service graduate recruitment scheme in a bid to tackle high level of graduate unemployment in SA.  The scheme was approved by Cabinet in December last year in response to the recommendation of the National Development Plan (NDP) that, in order to achieve a professional public service, the State needed to attract into its employment the best graduates and youth with potential.  The DPSA said that during the launch at the University of Johannesburg, dialogue with stakeholders would explore perspectives on youth development initiatives in the public service and interventions to promote it as a career of choice.  It added that, amongst other objectives, the scheme would serve to strengthen the talent pipeline for the public service’s future capacity – especially in scarce occupations and critical areas of service delivery.

Read more of this report at SA Labour News. Read the DPSA’s press release on this matter at SA Govt News

EXECUTIVE PAY

What Telkom bosses got paid in year to March 2018

Moneyweb reports that Telkom CEO Sipho Maseko earned total remuneration of R27.2m in the 2018 financial year to 31 March, up from R25.9m a year ago.  The telecommunications group’s annual report, published on Tuesday, showed that Maseko’s package was made up of just over R8m in guaranteed pay, R7.6m in short-term incentives, R12,000 in fringe benefits and R11.5m in vested long-term incentive shares.  Former chief financial officer Deon Fredericks, who moved into the newly created role of chief investment officer on 1 July, was paid a total of R13.6m, slightly up on last year’s R13.5m.  But, Frederick’s package was dwarfed by two former Telkom executives’ packages — ex-BCX CEO Isaac Mophatlane was paid R18.9m, which included a separation package, while Attila Vitai, who previously headed Telkom’s consumer, mobile and small business division, took home a whopping R24.3m.  Telkom chairman Jabu Mabuza was paid R1.3m for his services.

Read this report by Duncan McLeod in full at Moneyweb

RESTRUCTURING / LIQUIDATIONS / RETRENCHMENTS

Afro Voice, formerly known as The New Age, provisionally liquidated

The Citizen reports that on Tuesday the High Court in Pretoria granted an urgent provisional liquidation order against TNA Media, which owns the newspaper Afro Voice (previously known as The New Age).  This was on application by the newspaper’s new owner Mzwanele (Jimmy) Manyi, Afrotone Media and the directors of TNA, who told the court the newspaper was no longer operating and was commercially insolvent.  The order only involved Afro Voice and did not affect Afro WorldVoice (previously ANN7).  Interested parties have until 13 November to supply reasons why a final liquidation order should not be granted.  A number of the newspaper’s employees initially attempted to hand in an affidavit opposing the application, alleging the newspaper was in fact not commercially insolvent and that the employees’ rights would be negatively affected, but eventually withdrew their bid.  They will apparently take up their concerns with the Master of the High Court and also intend launching an application to be joined as a party in the liquidation proceedings.  Employees of the newspaper have complained that they were not properly consulted before the newspaper was suddenly closed last month and expressed fears that they would lose their pensions and other benefits.

Read this report by Ilse de Lange in full at The Citizen. Read too, End of road for Mzwanele Manyi’s paper, at BusinessLive. And also, Afro Worldview staff anxious as MultiChoice dithers, at The Star

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT / TRAINING

Recruitment group Workforce bets on the training sector with acquisition of Dyna

BusinessLive reports that recruitment group Workforce Holdings has acquired the Dyna Group for nearly R80m in cash as it looks to increase its exposure to training services.  Workforce has been trying to diversify its business offering and Dyna includes businesses that provide leadership, management and supervisory training to mostly blue-collar staff for clients.  Some of these businesses are Dyna Training, Dyna Industrial Training and Development, Dyna Training Namibia and NQ Plus Networks.  Dyna’s training programmes contain accredited and non-accredited courses and it has trained about 2,000 people.  Workforce’s management said the Dyna Group was an attractive buy because it had a wide range of customers, including numerous blue chip-listed and non-listed companies.  The deal is expected to be completed by 30 July.

A short report by Alistair Anderson is at BusinessLive

OTHER REPORTS

Deputy police minister supports the decriminalisation of sex work

SABC News reports that responding to questions from sex workers at the 22nd International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Deputy Police Minister Bongani Mkhongi said he supported calls for the decriminalisation of sex work in South Africa.  He indicated that police no longer wanted to arrest sex workers, but were forced to do so by law.  Sex workers have accused the police of harassing and arresting them and want sex work to be recognised and legalised in SA.  Mkhongi commented:  “South Africa has lots of crime, very heavy crime, (to deal with) rather than us raiding people and taking condoms as evidence to court.  We are tired of this thing, so we must change the law.  And the President, who was deputy president then, we’ve raised this issue with him.”  Mkhongi added:  “So the decriminalisation of sex work is a serious matter for us as police because we must focus into cash in transit heists, so we are going to deal with that, that is our commitment.”

Read a short report by Thabile Mbhele at SABC News