News24 reports that according to the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), 14 of its shop stewards at Volkswagen SA's plant in Port Elizabeth were fired three weeks ago for organising a strike, which was over safety concerns.
The move, described by Numsa as "union bashing", has left 3,200 employees out of a 4 500-strong workforce without union representation. Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said the shop stewards were dismissed for defending the right of workers to strike over unsafe working conditions at VWSA. On 17 July 2020, workers downed tools and embarked on work stoppage. Hlubi-Majola said their demand was simple, namely management compliance with health and safety protocols. Explaining the grounds for the strike that led to the dismissals, Hlubi-Majola claimed that VWSA management openly compromised health and safety protocols during the Covid-19 pandemic, “risking workers' lives whilst management and office staff worked from the comfort and safety of their homes.” She added: “Workers were expected to return to full production with little or no regard for social distancing and safety. Employees were left vulnerable to a surge of infections." VWSA’s spokesperson Andile Dlamini commented as follows: "VWSA confirms that the 14 shop stewards were subjected to a disciplinary enquiry of which the details remain confidential between the employees concerned and the company."
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Malibongwe Dayimani at News24
- Read too, Numsa threatens VW with legal action for firing 14 workers who allegedly protested over unsafe working conditions, at The Star
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