Business Report writes that another fight is brewing at Denel as trade unions gear up for a battle with the state arms manufacturer over retrenchments. A hearing on the parastatal's intention to retrench at least 663 employees in five categories could be held as early as this week.
Trade unions Solidarity and Uasa confirmed receipt of communication from the CCMA to prepare for the sessions. "We are waiting for the commissioners and trade union officials to be assembled … We are ready to be part of the process, we are prepared to negotiate," said Uasa’s Rick Grobler. Solidarity's public sector deputy secretary-general Helgard Cronjé also confirmed that the union was gearing up for a fight and would represent the interest of its workers at the discussions. In what was the first visible move by newly appointed CEO Mike Kgobe, who replaced William Hlakoane on 1 September, five pages of correspondence to the unions set out, in varying levels of detail, the intentions of the Denel board and management to restructure operations based on operational requirements. The proposed retrenchment date, pending the completion of all necessary consultation and people processes, is 1 October. The targeted categories apparently include senior officials and managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerks and “crafts and related trades”. The selection criteria for axing include relevant experience and qualifications, competency, skills and diversity. Reportedly on the table will be a severance payment equal to a week’s remuneration for each completed year of service. Additionally, retrenched personnel will be fully paid up to termination, including accrued leave pay and “some benefits in accordance with the Social Plan”.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Banele Ginindz at Business Report
- Lees ook, Honderde afleggings dreig by Denel, by Maroela Media
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