BL Premium reports that the 99 employees retrenched by Macsteel returned to the workplace on Monday after the steel supplier struck a deal with the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa).  

On Monday last week, Numsa members at the firm embarked on a strike at all operations across the country, demanding the reinstatement of workers retrenched in December.   Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim advised as follows:  “According to the agreement, Macsteel must attempt to place retrenched workers into vacant positions before the end of February 2021, and it must ensure that employees are placed into positions which most closely match their previous position.  As far as is reasonably possible, Macsteel will ensure that they do not earn less than what they earned before retrenchment.  Those successfully placed in vacant positions will start as new employees effective from 1 January.”  He went on to indicate:  “Furthermore, the settlement ensures that all retrenched workers will retain all monies paid to them, including the severance pay paid to them when they were retrenched during December 2020, even if they are re-hired into a new post.”  In terms of the agreement, the striking workers will be returning to their posts on Thursday, but had to report to work on Monday to discuss their placements in vacant positions.  Management has given its full assurance that it would “endeavour to place every employee who was retrenched into a new position”.  In the event that affected employees don’t agree to taking up any of the vacancies, Numsa has agreed not to take the company back out on strike.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (paywall access only)

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