In our Friday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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Numsa rejects Seifsa’s latest wage increase offer BL Premium reports a strike in the metals and engineering sector entered its eighth day on Thursday after the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) rejected a revised pay offer from employers’ association Seifsa (Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of SA). “I have been told that Numsa rejected Seifsa’s revised offer of 6% for lowest-paid workers and 5% for highest-paid workers last night [Wednesday],” Gerhard Papenfus, CEO of the rival National Employers Association of SA (Neasa), indicated. He advised that Neasa had proposed a one-year 4.28% wage increase, which Numsa had last week turned down. Lucio Trentini, CEO of Seifsa, confirmed that Numsa had rejected its revised three-year offer, and said Seifsa would be holding a briefing at 11am on Friday. “For a general labourer the total cost to company moves to a minimum of R12,734 per month. Given the current economic and trading conditions and economic date tracking the performance of the sector over the last 24 months, we believe the improved offer is more than fair, equitable and sustainable,” Trentini commented. On the way forward, Papenfus advised as follows: “What’s going to follow now is a conciliation process that will be facilitated by the CCMA [Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration], which will happen very soon.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Numsa rejects new wage offer, engineering strike continues, at Engineering News Metals and engineering strike stalemate ongoing as Numsa slams Neasa’s 4.28% 'non-offer' Fin24 reports that National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) general secretary Irvin Jim took aim on Thursday at employer associations in the metals and engineering sector, saying that only one of them had shown any interest in bringing the union's strike in the sector to an end with a meaningful offer. Jim was speaking at a press conference, as Numsa's strike in the sector passed the one-week mark. While Jim credited the Steel and Engineering Industry Federation of South Africa (Seifsa) for approaching the union with a revised offer of 6% in the first year of a multi-year agreement, he slammed the National Employers' Association of SA (Neasa) and the SA Engineering and Founders' Association (Saefa) for not engaging the union since the beginning of the strike. Jim slammed a 4.28% offer made by Neasa as a "non-offer", claiming that the association was committed to collapsing collective bargaining in the sector. According to Jim, Seifsa revision of its 4% offer to a 6% increase for the first year, “must be based on rates and not minimums and Seifsa had an issue with that.” He said if implemented on minimums, the 6% offer would see some workers get as little as R59.01. At the time of the announcement of a strike, Numsa was demanding 8% across the board in the first year, 2% plus a CPI improvement factor in the second year and an opportunity to reopen negotiations if 2% plus CPI did not cover inflation in the third year. Jim also slammed trade union Solidarity, claiming the union’s agreement with Saefa weighed down on black wages and benefits; halved the earning potential in the sector, and aimed to cut the industry rates in half. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khulekani Magubane at Fin24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Paramedics, patient unscathed after large rock hurled through window of ambulance on N14 in Krugersdorp News24 reports that two ER24 paramedics and a patient had a very lucky escape after a large rock was thrown through the window of their ambulance on Thursday. The two paramedics were transporting a patient on the N14 in Krugersdorp, when they were attacked. They managed to evade the hostile environment and found a safe place to stop where they assessed the situation. Fortunately, the medics hadn’t sustained any injuries. A second ambulance was called to the scene to transport the patient to a nearby hospital. At the scene of the crime, medics found the large rock in the left-hand lane. A witness to the incident said two young men had thrown the rock at the ambulance. ER24 condemned all attacks against emergency workers. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Cebelihle Mthethwa at News24. Lees ook, Klip deur venster van ambulans op N14 geslinger, by Maroela Media
Mabuza to meet with military veteran protestors demanding millions in gratuity payments, government jobs News24 reports that Deputy President David Mabuza was expected to meet on Thursday afternoon with military veterans who have been camping outside the ANC's Luthuli House in Johannesburg for the past few days, demanding millions in gratuity payments. According to the protestors, they fought in exile during apartheid but were now struggling to survive. The veterans belonged to an organisation called Liberation Struggle War Veterans (LSWV), which was based in all nine provinces and had about 40,000 members, said spokesperson Lwazi Mzobe. The group's reparation demands include a once-off gratuity payment of R4.2 million for each struggle veteran, land for housing, and education. It also wants jobs in government to be reserved for them. The group has moreover demanded the disbandment of the Department of Defence and Military Veterans because it has failed to serve the needs of veterans, according to Mzobe. The organisation's demands were first brought to the government's attention when its members marched to the Union Buildings in November 2020. President Cyril Ramaphosa tasked Mabuza with leading a task team to look into the issues raised by the veterans. Mzobe said a year later the government had failed to outline when they would be paid reparations. He expressed the hope that Thursday's meeting would shed some light on what the government planned to do. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Zintle Mahlati at News24 Fifty-six arrested, three injured as Special Task Force rescues ministers held hostage by protesting military veterans News24 reports that the Special Task Force stormed the St George's Conference Centre in Irene, Pretoria, on Thursday evening to rescue Defence Minister Thandi Modise, her deputy, Thabang Makwetla, and Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele, after they were held hostage by disgruntled military veterans. The elite unit, assisted by the military police and police, swooped in after the group blocked the trio from leaving a meeting meant to discuss their demands for government assistance. Police spokesperson Brigidier Vish Naidoo said 56 people were arrested and three were injured. The group had been demanding an audience with President Cyril Ramaphosa and his deputy, David Mabuza. "There were no shots fired but while processing the suspects, we have taken three for medical treatment because they were complaining of pains. One has complained of injury and we are not sure how the injury was sustained," Naidoo said. Gungubele confirmed the Task Force was sent in and the trio was made to leave just before 22:00 after being held hostage from 19:00. Gungubele added the group refused to discuss its concerns with anyone but Ramaphosa and Mabuza. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Qaanitah Hunter at News24 Autopax workers protest over nonpayment of September salaries SowetanLIVE reports that employees at state-owned bus operator Autopax, who have not been paid their September salaries, say they are uncertain of their future and that of the financially-distressed company. The bus company, which is a subsidiary of Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa), employs more than 900 workers. It failed to pay September salaries, leading to a protest march led by unions on Thursday to Prasa offices. The disgruntled workers, who include bus drivers and mechanics, lamented that the "writing is on the wall" on the future of the company and they feared the worst. The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) and the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) led the march in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, and demanded that workers be paid their salaries. September was not the first time that Autopax employees found themselves without payment at the end of the month. In April and May salaries were only paid after payday because of "cash-flow problems". A Satawu shop steward asked why Autopax prioritised paying suppliers ahead of employees. Prasa spokesperson Bane Ndlovu said there were no guarantees that workers’ jobs would be safe in the long term amid the cash-flow problems. “The cost structures are too high, staff structures bloated and a Section 189 process is almost finalised. The fleet is obsolete and not economical to operate and ensure the operational model is efficient. There are engagements between Prasa and the department of transport to assist Autopax with urgent funding to resolve the matter,” Ndlovu indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mpho Koka at SowetanLIVE Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Illegal miners trapped for more than two days in Northern Cape diamond mine Netwerk24 reports that it is uncertain how many illegal miners were trapped on Wednesday morning when the Nuttabooi mine between Komaggas and Kleinzee in the Northern Cape suddenly collapsed. The miners have now been trapped for longer than 24 hours. Vernon Swartbooi, head of the Namakwa department of disaster management, said rescue attempts were being planned, but the ground was very unstable. He indicated: “We don’t know how many people are trapped or are dead and the shaft in which they are trapped is 38m deep.” He couldn’t give further details about conditions. Paul Swartbooi, Nama chief from Steinkopf, said the mine collapsed at about 09:00 on Wednesday morning. This was not the first time that there was a collapse at the mine. A section also collapsed last week, but no one was injured. Because of the instability of the ground, heavy machinery can’t be brought in to assist with the rescue operation. Swartbooi observed: “I can’t think that anyone can come out of there alive” (loosely translated from Afrikaans). Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Anena Burger in Afrikaans at Netwerk24 (subscriber access only) Solidarity reaches wage agreement with Village Main Reef Mining Weekly reports that trade union Solidarity has concluded a two-year wage agreement with gold producer Village Main Reef. This comes after just two weeks of negotiations undertaken in collaboration with fellow trade unions the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) and Uasa. Among other items, the agreement makes provision for a 5%-a-year increase for the next two years for so-called ‘miners, artisans and officials’, while category 4 to 8 employees will receive increases of R800 a year over the next three years. The housing allowance will be increased by R100 a year over the next two years and the medical aid benefit will be improved. “We are delighted to announce that the agreement has been concluded. Settlement was reached within two weeks without a deadlock or a dispute process and will ensure the company can focus on capital and expansion projects for the next two years. The agreement is a victory for sustainability and constructive collective bargaining,” Solidarity general secretary Gideon du Plessis commented. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly. Read Solidarity’s press statement in the above regard at Solidarity News. Lees ook, Loonooreenkoms met goudprodusent vinnig beklink, by Maroela Media Minerals Council report shows mining industry shed jobs in 2020, but paid more in salaries Fin24 reports that data released by the Minerals Council SA (MCSA) on Thursday showed that in 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country, the mining industry employed more than 9,000 fewer people than in the previous year. Although the sector experienced disruptions - including the impact on employee numbers - the MCSA (previously called the Chamber of Mines) said commodity prices had surged. "The full year 2020 employee numbers are 452,866, which is 9,172 jobs less than the average during 2019, or 2% lower," according to the data. Prices were 17% higher in January 2020 compared to nine years earlier, after a recovery from the global financial crisis. However, contribution to GDP was at R371.9 billion, a dip from R376.4 billion. While fewer people were employed in the sector, compensation for employees increased by around 5% from two years previously, with R151.7 billion paid to employees overall, up from R144.4 billion in 2019. "The negative impact on mining was lighter than that compared to many other parts of the economy due to the excellent cooperation and collaboration between the industry and government in getting the sector safely back to work as quickly as possible," said MCSA chief executive Roger Baxter. But, safety levels regressed. The year 2019 had been the safest on record, however, the industry observed a "disappointing regression" in 2020 with 60 fatalities, compared to 51 in 2019. The figure represents an increase of 18% in fatalities year-on-year. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sibongile Khumalo at Fin24 Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Milk Producers Organisation reduces its staff complement by 60% Landbou reports that the Milk Producers Organisation (MPO) has reduced its workforce by about 60% as part of a process to change the strategy and structure of the organisation. The MPO directorate indicated in a statement earlier this week that the business process to recalibrate the organisation in line with its established functions and to better serve the interests of its members began in May and was completed in October. The statement went on to indicate that some of the present posts in the organisation had become redundant and were thus disestablished. Personnel in the institute for dairy technology and in the regulatory and member services had been affected. Fanie Ferreira, acting chief executive, said such changes were never easy, but they had been necessary to enable the organisation to deliver sustainable long-term benefits and support to milk producers to enable them to grow. The organisation hopes by the end of the year to have appointed a new chief executive (loosely translated from Afrikaans). Read the full original of the above report by Carien Kruger in Afrikaans at Landbou
Newly-appointed acting prisons boss summoned by the Labour Court to explain why KZN commissioner wasn’t reinstated, as ordered News24 reports that the Labour Court has ordered newly-appointed acting prisons boss, Makgothi Thobakgale, to appear before it on Friday to face charges of contempt of court for failing to reinstate suspended KwaZulu-Natal regional commissioner, Mnikelwa Nxele. Thobakgale has been instructed to make representations as to why the court should not find him guilty of being in contempt. The court had earlier given Thobakgale until 12 October to submit a written affidavit to indicate why the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) had failed to adhere to the court's order. In the absence of providing an explanation to the satisfaction of the court, or should Thobakgale (the second respondent) fail to appear in court, despite being properly served, he was warned that he would be found guilty of contempt and "may be incarcerated for such a period as the court deems appropriate" or he may be fined. Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola has been cited as the first respondent. Nxele was placed on precautionary suspension in March 2020 and the suspension was later extended on 6 October 2020 after a report from the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) implicated him as being involved in a series of procurement irregularities. A series of court applications and rulings followed. The lapsing and/or abandonment of the DCS final appeal in the case has rendered binding the Labour Court’s original judgment that the suspension had been invalid and unlawful. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Juniour Khumalo at News24
DA wants to take over running of commuter train services in Cape Town BL Premium reports that Democratic Alliance (DA) Cape Town mayoral candidate Geordin Hill-Lewis has vowed to intensify the metro’s fight to take control of the train system in the city to avert its collapse. He said on Thursday that the DA also wants to rope in private players to help run train services in the city. Municipal public transport is an area of local government competence, and the constitution provides that a municipality “has the right to exercise any power concerning a matter reasonably necessary for, or incidental to, the effective performance of its functions,” Hill-Lewis said. Cape Town is plagued by an inefficient and unreliable rail service that on many occasions has left commuters stranded, which has affected their incomes and the productivity of many businesses in the city. The Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) is responsible for delivering rail services, considered the backbone of public transport in Cape Town. However, Prasa’s subsidiary, Metrorail, has been under pressure because its rail commuter services have been in a serious state of decline caused by decades of underinvestment, outdated technology, the loss of critical skills, deferred maintenance and corruption. The DA led city of Cape Town has long been calling on the government to allow it to manage rail services, saying that under its plan Metrorail would continue to provide the transport service, while the metro would maintain and operate the infrastructure. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bekezela Phakathi at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
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