This news aggregator site highlights South African labour news from a wide range of internet and print sources. Each posting has a synopsis of the source article, together with a link or reference to the original. Postings cover the range of labour related matters from industrial relations to generalist human resources.
In our roundup of weekend news, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related stories that appeared since
Friday, 28 June 2019.
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Labour federations to meet with affiliates this week to discuss plans of action over rampant retrenchments The Sunday Independent reports that two main labour federations will this week be meeting with their affiliates to discuss plans of action in response to looming retrenchments by major companies. Big companies reportedly planning to retrench thousands of workers include MultiChoice, Tiso Blackstar, Eskom, PPC and Standard Bank. Labour experts point out that with the prevailing tough economic conditions, the widespread application of technology and the cost of labour, more companies are having to downsize or cut jobs totally to remain financially feasible. Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla indicated: “We will be convening a Cosatu campaign meeting to discuss what action we are going to take. Remember we had a strike earlier this year, in February, we tried to get government to sign a moratorium on retrenchments within the private sector.” He blamed government for setting a bad example for the private sector and also said the Labour Relations Act had to be amended as it allowed employers to replace workers with technology. Pamla dismissed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s promise of 2 million jobs in the next 10 years during the State of the Nation Address as “unrealistic”, “misguided” and “nothing but hot air”. SA Federation of Trade Union (Saftu) general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said Saftu was lobbying its affiliates to endorse a Numsa campaign of resisting the retrenchments. He said the country was “in the middle of a worsening crisis”. Read the full original of Roland Mpofu’s report in the above regard at The Sunday Independent Construction company Basil Read cuts staff and moves offices in fight for survival BusinessLive reports that Basil Read, which is fighting for survival after being forced into business rescue a year ago, says it has retrenched all staff not currently working on projects and will move out of its head office in Johannesburg to cut costs. Basil Read and some other former stalwarts of the construction industry, including Group Five, have succumbed to a shortage of major projects amid a downturn in the SA economy and a deterioration of public finances. Basil Read went into business rescue – a process aimed at rehabilitating financially distressed companies – in June 2018 after a consortium of lenders declined to provide it with bridging funding unless it went that route. The company has since terminated some contracts and cut costs by retrenching staff and reducing the size of its board. Barring those employees who were working on Basil Read’s last remaining projects – including at the Medupi power station – and the remaining staff at head office, “all other employees have been retrenched and will receive their full retrenchment packages”, the contractor said on Friday. The group indicated that most of the 20 construction contracts it was working on in June 2018 have been completed or terminated. It was still working on three projects, while five others “are in the process of being descoped or ceded to other contractors”. Basil Read has also been selling surplus plants and equipment at auctions, and is looking to offload its mining and development businesses. Read the full original of Nick Hedley’s report on the above story at BusinessLive MultiChoice’s retrenchment consultation process got underway on Friday BusinessLive reports that on Friday pay-TV operator MultiChoice concluded its first meeting with stakeholders in an ongoing retrenchment process that could result in up to 2,194 employees losing their jobs. Following the meeting, it commented that it was encouraged by the full attendance of all the role-players, including representatives from the Communication Workers Union (CWU), the Media Workers Association of SA (Mwasa), and the Information Communication Technology Union (ICTU), as well MultiChoice’s own Work Place Forum (WPF). MultiChoice indicated that it would respond to the initial feedback received during Friday’s meeting on Monday, 1 July. The company had said a week earlier that it would be cutting jobs at its call and walk-in centres and that the changes in its customer service model were in response to evolving customer behaviour as subscribers opted for digital platforms instead of telephone or walk-in services. MultiChoice is reported to have about 7,000 employees and previously indicated it would create new job opportunities for multi-skilled staff who had the expertise, skills and technological abilities to enhance the customer experience. Read the full original of Mudiwa Gavaza’s report on the above story at BusinessLive Edcon limits job cuts despite closure of 150 stores Moneyweb reports that despite Edcon cutting its store numbers by around 150 and reducing floor space in others over the last 18 months as part of its turnaround plan, the retailer has managed to save most of the jobs within the group. CEO Grant Pattison advised that of the roughly 1,000 staff who received retrenchment notices, some 90% of those affected by store closures and store “rightsizing” opted to move to other stores within the group. Only about 100 staff chose not to move, and took retrenchment packages. “We said from the start that we wanted to limit the number of job losses. We had an arrangement with the unions that there would be no forced retrenchments,” Pattison noted. Edcon, which employs around 14,000 permanent staff across the country, has been undergoing a restructure to cut costs and debt. On 1 March, it secured a R2.7 billion recapitalisation lifeline from existing secured lenders, the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) through the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), and dozens of its landlords. Pattison said he did not foresee any more store closures. Retail analyst Chris Gilmour commented: “Grant is a great and charismatic retailer, but he still has his work cut out for him. Edcon is not out of the woods yet. He not only needs to get Edcon back to profitability, he needs to claw back its market share in one of the toughest retail environments SA has ever faced.” Read the full original of Suren Naidoo’s report on the above story at Moneyweb. Read too, PIC pressured by Cosatu to rescue Edcon, at Moneyweb Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Ambulance staff in Joburg consider calling for police escort SowetanLive reports that, as attacks on ambulance crew continue unabated, Johannesburg Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel are considering requesting police escorts when attending to emergencies. On Thursday, EMS spoksperson Robert Mulaudzi said they would engage police on their challenges following yet another robbery of an ambulance crew in Dobsonville, Soweto, in the early hours of Thursday morning. Mulaudzi, however, warned that if this happened, patients might have to wait longer to access emergency services in the city. He indicated that paramedics were at risk and unfortunately they were being targeted in the communities they had to go into to rescue lives. He reported that the Dobsonville incident was the second one in less than two weeks. Police spokesperson Mzwakhe Xazi did not respond to requests for comment. Read the full original of Promise Marupeng’s report on the above story at SowetanLive Ambulance services withdrawn from Cosmo City community after weekend attack SowetanLive reports that an ambulance crew in Johannesburg came under attack while attending to a person who had been assaulted at the weekend. City of Johannesburg emergency services (EMS) spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said that as a result of the attack, EMS management had been forced to withdraw ambulance services until further notice to the community of Cosmo City. The public safety division advised that the crew had been in one of the city's 42 newly-delivered ambulances. On Wednesday evening, City of Johannesburg paramedics were robbed of their belongings after they responded to an emergency call in Soweto. A KwaZulu-Natal emergency medical services paramedic was also held at gunpoint and robbed on Wednesday while attending to a patient in Phoenix, north of Durban. The week before, two KwaZulu-Natal emergency services paramedics were wounded after responding to a call-out that turned out to be a trap. Read the original of the above report at SowetanLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
NUM decries miner’s death on Friday at Samancor chrome mine in Limpopo SowetanLive reports that according to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), a Lesotho national was killed in a rockfall incident at the Samancor Eastern chrome mine in Limpopo on Friday night. The accident occurred at the Tweefontein Shaft. The NUM’s Phillip Mankge said: "We believe that all accidents can be prevented. Falling rocks have been a major killer in the mining industry. We call upon the mining companies to invest more money in protecting the lives of workers [as opposed to] focusing more on profits." He went on to state: "We call on the mining industry to take serious reflection about these fatalities. Government should investigate possible safe international standards and it should benchmark with other mining industries around the world." Mankge added that the union was of the view that miners were forced to work in environments that were unsafe and that that was tantamount to an infringement on their human rights. Read the original of the report by Jeff Wicks on the above story at SowetanLive Emotions high as miners resurface after a nine-day underground strike over 'sex pest' SowetanLive reports that about 300 miners emerged from the Lanxess Chrome Mines near Rustenburg on Thursday after spending nine days underground as part of a sit-in in protest against mine management. The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) called off its sit-in strike after reaching a settlement with mine management. “The strike was very difficult for our members. They fought against an inflexible management who denied them food in an attempt to break the strike. For nine days they slept on the hard, cold stone floor of the shaft, in freezing temperatures, inhaling the fumes of the chrome dust,” Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said in a statement on Thursday evening. Workers at the mine had been underground since 19 June, striking largely over claims that Lanxess had not taken take action against a mine captain accused of sexual assault. Also, the HR manager, security manager and his wife allegedly victimised the victim. In terms of the settlement between management and the union, the alleged perpetrator would be placed on special leave pending a final investigation; the mine would investigate the HR manager, security manager and his wife; and striking miners would not be fired. Read the full original of the report by Nico Gous on the above story at SowetanLive Workers reinstated at Lanxess mine after underground strike ends with deal brokered by Mantashe BusinessLive reports that workers at Lanxess chrome mine, including 56 previously dismissed employees, were due expected to return to their posts on Monday, after a nine-day strike by the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa). According to Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, the reinstatement of the 56 dismissed workers and concessions on other issues sealed the deal that ended the strike on Thursday. Of the 56, 24 were fired for participating in a community protest after the company failed to live up to its promises to develop the area in line with its social and labour plans, Hlubi-Majola indicated. The rest were axed for embarking on a legal strike at the mine, she claimed. She said the 24 were reinstated immediately with no conditions, and while the rest also had their dismissals reversed, an arbitration process would rule if they were guilty of any misconduct. The deal between the mine and Numsa was brokered after mineral resources and energy minister Gwede Mantashe’s intervention. The disgruntled employees staged an underground sit-in from 19 June to protest against sexual harassment and the dismissal of Numsa members at the Rustenburg mine, among other grievances. According to the agreement signed by the parties, a mine captain accused of sexually assaulting his female subordinate would be placed on special leave pending finalisation of an investigation. The mine will also conduct investigations into allegations that three managers failed to properly deal with the sexual harassment allegations. Read the full original of Luyolo Mkentane’s report on the above story at BusinessLive Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Kruger National Park reports ‘minor’ delays as some workers fail to report for duty on Sunday SowetanLive reports that according to SA National Parks (SANParks) management, there had been no disruptions at the Kruger National Park on Sunday amid a rumoured employee strike. "We have just received a report and been informed that everything is running per normal - except that there were some minor delays in the operations," said SANParks spokesperson Ike Phaahla. He went on to indicate as follows: "The dispute is over payments for Sunday and public holidays. The current format is 0.5% of what they currently earn but (they) are demanding a 1.5% increase." An independent assessment is apparently looking into the feasibility of granting workers a 1% increase. Phaahla said the park employed over 2,300 workers and those who had threatened to strike were in the minority. Following the threat, security and contingency measures were put in place to deal with the possibility of a strike. Gates expected to be affected included Phalaborwa, Paul Kruger, Phabeni, Numbi, Malelane and Crocodile Bridge Gate. Phaahla also said members of the defence force and police service had been deployed across the park, while rangers from a volunteer group had been roped in to help fill gaps left by workers staying away. Services at two rest camps in the Kruger Park – Letaba and Olifants – were affected last Sunday when members of staff failed to report for duty due to a labour dispute. Management and union shop stewards met and resolved on Sunday, 23 June that workers would return to their posts while their concerns were being addressed. Read the full original of Nonkululeko Njilo’s report on the above story at SowetanLive
Automotive industry faced with stiff wage demands from Numsa BusinessLive reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) is demanding a one-year 20% wage increase across the board in the automotive industry after its previous three-year wage agreement ended on 30 June. The other demands tabled to Automotive Manufacturing Employers Organisation (Ameo) include morning, afternoon and night-shift allowances of 10%, 20% and 30%, respectively. Numsa is also demanding an annual bonus increase from 8.33% to 12%, six months’ paid maternity leave and 10 days’ paid paternity leave, as well as a transport allowance of R5,000 per month. Among other wide-ranging demands, the union wants clerks, welders, spray painters and metal-finish workers to be paid a 20% allowance. Numsa has not ruled out going on strike in support of its demands, but has indicated that it is not overzealous about downing tools. The talks between Numsa and Ameo are expected to get under way this week, with the employers preferring to comment on the demands only once the talks start in earnest. Meanwhile the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (Naamsa), which represents all 42 vehicle brands in the country, has said it expects a flat year for vehicle sales in 2019. Read the full original of Luyolo Mkentane’s report on the above story at BusinessLive
Aged abandon hunger strike in support of “overworked and underpaid” staff at Knysna old age home The Citizen reports that Vermont Old Age Home in Hornlee, Knysna, is no stranger to controversy, with the latest being an attempted hunger strike by residents in sympathy with the centre’s “overworked and underpaid” caregivers and staff members. The staff have allegedly also not received an increase or bonus in the past three years. A representative from the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu), Simphiwe Guzi, spoke to Knysna-Plett Herald and outlined the frustration of staff members. He said the union had been trying to meet with the management, but that all attempts to do so had been in vain thus far. He explained that the centre’s residents, in solidarity with the staff, then decided to go on a hunger strike on 16 June until such time as management would listen to their grievances. But this did not work either, Guzi said. He commented that: “Although we appreciated the support, after a while we told them to eat because they are old and some take medication and therefore cannot afford to go without meals.” When Board chairperson and acting manager Mietjie Tities was asked for comment, she laughed and rubbished the allegations, adding: “There was never a protest action at the centre – a staff member told me about the protest action but when I had a meeting with the residents, I was told there is no such thing.” Read the full original of Nwabisa Pondoyi’s report on this story at The Citizen
eThekwini has little so far to show for R3 billion 'Go Durban' bus project Sunday Tribune reports that an eThekwini municipal spokesperson said last week that the city’s new rapid transport system, Go!Durban, would go live in September, but the taxi association say it won’t, until the city has resolved differences with them. The multibillion-rand rapid transport project has been hampered by delays and interruptions as a result of ongoing disputes between the city and the local taxi association. Go!Durban was announced in 2013 as an initiative to bring relief to about 600,000 local commuters once completed. The integrated bus transport system is aimed at linking areas north, west and south of Durban to the city. Last week, Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu revealed that close to R3bn had been spent on the Go!Durban project and that the municipality was paying even when work was not done and the project was delayed. Shortly thereafter, the municipality announced that the Go!Durban first phase, a bus route between Pinetown and KwaMashu, would go live in two months’ time. But, Mathula Mkhize of the SA National Taxi Council for Durban West said they were unhappy about how the city was handling their issues. He explained: “The city has not fully explained how it will compensate taxi owners whose businesses have suffered as a result of the project. We are confused that while we still have unresolved issues the city made this announcement that the project will be completed in two months’ time.” Mkhize said they would not allow the project to go live until all the disputes were settled. Read the full original of Siboniso Mngadi’s report on the above story at Sunday Tribune Impromptu protest by Prasa workers causes major train delays in Cape Town on Thursday TimesLIVE reports that an impromptu protest by employees of the Passenger Rail Service of SA (Prasa) resulted in major train delays in Cape Town on Thursday and left many early peak-hour commuters stranded. In a statement, Metrorail Western Cape apologised "unreservedly for trains coming to a halt across the region this morning". The protests resulted in trains being delayed for about an hour. "The delays are attributed to two incidents First, a small group of employees elected to disregard Prasa procedures to raise their concerns. Regional management immediately addressed the issue and employees resumed work thereafter," the statement indicated. The second incident was the death of a pedestrian, which was reported at 8.25am outside Elsies River Station. The latest delays came just a day after transport minister Fikile Mbalula called for a war room to be established that would tackle train delays, crime and vandalism, among other things. He also demanded to be constantly briefed on employee grievances. Read the full original of Sipokazi Fokazi’s report on the above story at TimesLIVE
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