The Citizen reports that the Tshwane metro has been accused of ignoring a Pretoria High Court decision ordering it to pay post-retirement medical aid contributions in respect of its retired employees.  

The Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (Imatu) last week expressed concern that the metro was refusing to pay employer (i.e. council) contributions, despite the court order.  The union labelled the refusal “a direct attack on the well-being of pensioners and the [elderly]”.  In December last year, the court confirmed the metro’s contractual obligation to continue contributing towards the monthly premiums of its pensioner members after retirement.  Imatu’s regional manager in Tshwane, Rudy de Bruyn, said:  “To date, the metro has refused to comply and we received notice last week that they have filed an application for leave to appeal the aforementioned judgment.  Despite slim margins for success, the metro is determined to delay the process and negate the contractual rights of pensioners.”  The original court case came after Imatu became aware that pensioners were no longer being afforded post-retirement medical aid contributions by the council.  The metro confirmed it had applied for leave to appeal.

• Read Bennitt Bartl’s report on this story in full at The Citizen

Read Imatu’s press statement on this matter at Imatu News

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page