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 Wednesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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Transnet and unions to resume CCMA-facilitated talks aimed at resolving wage strike on Wednesday Mining Weekly reports that Transnet and its recognised unions – the United National Transport Union (Untu) and the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) – will reconvene talks at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on Wednesday after intensive negotiations on Monday failed to deliver a breakthrough. The state-owned freight logistics group said in a statement that the first day of CCMA-facilitated conciliation talks adjourned in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The company added: “The parties have agreed and signed on the picketing rules and picketing sites, and remain willing to find a solution on the wage negotiations, under the auspices of the CCMA. The parties to the negotiations are considering alternative proposals and will reconvene on Wednesday, 12 October 2022 to take the process forward.” Transnet has offered increases of between 1.5% and 3% effective from April, but unions are demanding between 12% and 13.5%. Transnet has declared force majeure, indicating that it is unable to fulfil its contractual obligations to clients, which include major minerals exporters. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly Transnet sweetens its wage offer, but labour rejects it as an ‘insult’ Mail & Guardian reports that labour has rejected another improved offer from Transnet after a meeting with management at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on Monday. SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) spokesperson Amanda Tshemese said the state rail, road and pipeline logistics company tabled a new offer of between 4.25% and 5% across the board, but the union refused to budge on its demand for 12% to 13.5%. On Monday, thousands of Satawu members joined the Transnet strike, which began last week. Satawu and the United National Transport Union (Untu) concluded the first day of conciliation talks facilitated by the CCMA in the early hours of Tuesday morning. “The employer is insulting us and our members because they know very well that the inflation rate in this country is 7.6% and what the employer is offering us is way below the inflation rate,” Satawu’s Tshemese said. Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi was also part of the proceedings. “We have made three commissioners available through the CCMA to come and be able to deal with this because you know that it will be too destructive on our economy,” Nxesi said in a SABC interview. Transnet spokesperson Ayanda Shezi said the negotiating parties had agreed on the picketing rules. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mandisa Ndlovu at Mail & Guardian Big business offers to pay increased fees and a strike-avoidance levy to end Transnet strike BL Premium reports that in an effort to alleviate the effects of the Transnet wage strike on the economy, business has offered to pay increased fees for the rail utility’s services and an additional strike-avoidance levy until an agreement is reached. According to the proposals contained in the latest industry publication, Cargo Movement Report, an additional levy of R148 per container was offered to Transnet’s terminal handling charges. If accepted, the levy will help fill the gap left between Transnet’s offer and what the unions are demanding. Talks between Transnet and its employees deadlocked after the workers rejected its revised offer of an increase of up to 5% for the highest-paid workers, plus a 1% increase in housing and medical allowances. Workers say this is far below the inflation rate, which was 7.6% in August. Talks between the two parties at the CCMA are expected to continue on Wednesday. Another proposal by the business lobby groups includes subsidising Transnet Port Terminals and having port workers declared essential workers, who are not allowed to go on strike. The proposals to add a levy to avert a strike were supported by Business Unity SA (Busa), Business Leadership SA (BLSA) and the Durban Chamber of Commerce. “We are still in engagements with Transnet,” Busa said. For its part, Transnet did not say whether it accepted or rejected the business sector’s offer. The strike avoidance fee would be implemented from 1 October to end-March 2023. “The strike avoidance levy will be added to the fuel neutrality charge to create a single levy to ease the administration of invoicing. The combined levy will be raised as a separate line-item charge distinct from the current terminal handling charges,” the proposal indicates. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thando Maeko & Mary Papayya at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Almost 30 vessels stuck outside port as 90% of workers on strike at some Transnet harbours Fin24 reports that as a wage strike intensifies, Transnet harbours – apart from East London - have been hit by mass stay-aways. Some 28 vessels were in limbo outside of Transnet terminals or waiting to be given a dock on Monday. The Richards Bay terminal had manning levels (the number of people required for work) of 8% with 17 vessels outside and 13 vessels on the berth, the transport utility said in a note to port customers. While Cape Town's multi-purpose terminal had 13% manning levels, there were no vessels outside on Monday and five fishing vessels were berthing. The Durban multi-purpose terminal had 12.5% manning levels with two vessels outside and two vessels berthing on Monday. Durban's agri-terminal had 10% manning levels and one vessel berthing. Saldanha's iron ore terminal had 10% manning levels with three vessels outside and two vessels berthing while the Saldanha multi-purpose terminal had 13% manning levels with two vessels berthing. However, the East London multi-purpose terminal had 100% manning levels with no vessels waiting and no vessels berthing. Transnet general manager for commercial and planning, Michelle Van Buren Schele, indicated: "The situation regarding the industrial action remains unchanged but most of the Transnet Port Terminals are experiencing a decline in the manning levels. The bulk and break-bulk terminals are activating business continuity plans to ensure operations are minimally impacted by the illegal strike action." She added that due to the ongoing strike at its operations, the terminals would activate business continuity plans to soften the blow of decreased manning levels. But, Bowmans' head of ports, transport, and logistics, Andrew Pike, reacted with: "(It is) hard to understand how they will implement business continuity plans with a 10% workforce." Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khulekani Magubane at Fin24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Trade union UASA threatens strike at State Theatre over wages Fin24 reports that according to trade union UASA, it is on the brink of striking at the State Theatre in Pretoria after its eight-month wage negotiations with the management of the largest theatre complex in Africa deadlocked. In a statement, UASA said the theatre was offering labour a 4.23% wage increase while labour has demanded an 8.7% rise. UASA said it was preparing for industrial action: "A strike certificate has therefore been issued, and arrangements are being made for a secret strike ballot. The ballot outcome will be a determining factor in notifying the employer of UASA's intention to embark on a strike." The union said it believed the employer could meet demands for "a just salary increase". "UASA represents the majority of employees at the theatre and a strike will have an impact on the productions offered," the statement warned. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Khulekani Magubane at Fin24
PSA preparing for wage strike after rejecting government’s offer TimesLive reports that the Public Servants Association (PSA) says it is preparing for a strike in the public sector after the majority of its members rejected the government’s salary increase offer. The PSA, which represents more than 235,000 public servants, declared a dispute when the government made an offer of a 2% salary increase. The government later improved the offer to a 3% pensionable salary adjustment, and the continued payment of a non-pensionable cash gratuity of R1,000 until 31 March next year. “The PSA requested a mandate from its members to accept or reject the offer, resulting in a rejection of the offer by the majority of members who provided a mandate,” the PSA advised. The union said parties would convene next Monday to conclude picketing rules, failing which the commissioner would issue such rules. The PSA said it would thereafter issue a notice to strike and commence with lunchtime pickets in support of a strike. “Despite government indicating that the offer is now ‘off the table’ and that it will not reopen negotiations on the current offer, the PSA maintains that the pending huge strike action will prompt government to reconsider its position,” the union commented. It added that it “remains willing to engage government to resolve the impasse.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Government defends paying electricity and water bills of cabinet ministers and their deputies BusinessLive reports that the government has defended paying utility bills for ministers and their deputies after a backlash from civil society and hard-pressed consumers. It said the perk was one of several for “being a member of the executive”. It was reported on Sunday that in April President Cyril Ramaphosa scrapped a R5,000 limit on the amount that cabinet members could claim for water and power — the same month that electricity tariffs were increased by an average of 10% — thereby fully exempting ministers and their deputies from paying for municipal services at their official residences. Cabinet ministers earn R2.4m per year, while their deputies are paid R2m. “Ministers and deputy ministers pay for the usage of electricity and water at their private residences. The department of public works & infrastructure pays for the usage of water and electricity of state-owned buildings, such as official residences,” government spokesperson Phumla Williams said in a statement on Tuesday. “The department of public service & administration sets out the provisions (on expenses for members of the executive) in the ministerial handbook. These provisions are part of the package that comes with being a member of the executive as they are living in state-owned houses in service of the country,” Williams added. The department, she said, was “bound” by government prescripts to accommodate members of the executive. Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said the labour federation, a key ally of the governing ANC, was shocked by reports that taxpayers are footing the bill for water and electricity used by cabinet members. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinhessLive. Lees ook, Regering skerm oor pasella dienste vir ministers, by Maroela Media
South32, unions reach three-year wage agreement Mining Weekly reports that diversified miner South32 has reached a three-year wage agreement with the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) and Solidarity, which will result in artisans and operators receiving a 7%, 6% and 5% increase in years one, two and three, respectively. Under the terms of the agreement, production technicians will receive increases of 7.5%, 6.5% and 5.5% over the next three years. Artisans who were appointed after 1 January 2020 will receive the same increase as production technicians, while operators who were appointed as production technicians will receive the same increase as the operators and artisans. The company will back-pay the first year’s increase, to be effective from 1 September, with the October payroll. South32 has also agreed to six months maternity leave through use of the sick pay fund. The company said it accepted the offer by labour to assist with the onboarding process within six months of the signature of the agreement. In the interim, the current policy will remain in place until implementation. Paternity leave will also be increased from ten continuous days to 12 continuous days for shift employees only. Matters related to employment equity and skills development would be managed in their respective forums, South32 said, adding that organised labour would continue to be represented in the All-Share Trust Committee. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly Arnot OpCo placed under business rescue by court, supply of coal to power station to continue News24Wire reports that the South Gauteng High Court has placed Arnot OpCo into business rescue just months after the shuttered mine revived operations and supply of coal to Eskom. In a judgment handed down on Monday, the Salungano Group – the 50% owner of Arnot – was granted its application to have the operation placed under supervision and business rescue proceedings in terms of the Companies Act. Salungano, formerly known as Wescoal, said business operations of the mine would continue as usual, including the supply of coal into the Arnot power station. The Arnot mine was previously owned by Exxaro Resources and was shuttered in 2015 after a long-term supply agreement with Eskom expired and wasn't renewed. Efforts by former Exxaro employees of the mine saw a deal in which these employees became joint shareholders with Wescoal in Arnot OpCo and production activities at the mine recommenced in February this year. In court papers, Wescoal argued that Arnot OpCo was financially distressed as a result of mismanagement of the company, including the blurring of lines between rehabilitation and reestablishment costs for the mine. Arnot InvestCo – which is owned by the former employees and is the other 50% shareholder in the business – however opposed the application and accused Wescoal of wanting to control Arnot OpCo and unilaterally refusing to comply with its funding obligations to the business. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly. Read too, Junior coal miner Arnot weighs options after court orders business rescue, at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Setback for Neasa and Saefa as metals and engineering as extension of MEIBC wage deal is gazetted Fin24 reports that following an unsuccessful court challenge from the National Employers Association of SA (Neasa) and the SA Engineers’ and Founders’ Association (Saefa), Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) Minister Thulas Nxesi has gazetted the extension of a metals and engineering wage deal to all employers within the applicable bargaining council’s scope of application. The two employer associations took the Metal and Engineering Bargaining Council (MEIBC) to the Labour Court in August to prevent it from extending the "unaffordable" wage deal. The wage deal in question is for a 6% increase to the minimum rate in the sector. The main agreement becomes legally binding on all non-party employers from next week Monday. The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa), a supporter of the extension, has welcomed its publication in the government gazette. Seifsa CEO Lucio Trentini pointed out that the agreement was supported by five of the biggest trade unions in the industry, including the National Union of Metalworkers of SA, and 18 independent employer organisations. Neasa CEO Gerhardus Papenfus reacted as follows: "We are not at all surprised. The minister has never illustrated an understanding of what is happening in this industry and he has done what we expect him to do. I have no doubt that the judge is wrong and the minister hasn't given any regard to our submission or those of employers." He claimed some employers in the sector were paying employees R30 an hour and would have to double that rate in a very short period. He advised that Neasa would approach the courts and rally the support of thousands of businesses who could not afford the extension. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khulekani Magubane at Fin24 Solidarity welcomes extension of MEIBC Main Agreement and three other agreements In a statement on Tuesday, Solidarity welcomed the recent extension by the Minister of Employment and Labour of the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC) Consolidated Main Agreement. The trade union noted that in addition to the Consolidated Main Agreement, two agreements regulating administrative and dispute levies, as well as the Plastics Industry Main Agreement, had also been extended. All four agreements will come into effect from 17 October 2022. “The extension of the four agreements will bring stability within the MEIBC and the metal and engineering industry in general, and it will bring much-needed relief for employees who have had no standardised minimum employment conditions and wage scales for more than a decade,” said Willie Venter, deputy general secretary for metal and engineering at Solidarity. According to the union, the agreements will be beneficial for the entire industry, provided that parties work responsibly with the phasing in of the agreement and employers follow the prescribed processes to adjust employees’ minimum employment conditions within the prescribed time periods. Read Solidarity’s press statement in full at Solidarity News. Lees ook, Mylpaal behaal met ooreenkomste in metaalbedryf, by Maroela Media
Solidarity takes health department to court over controversial NHI posts In a statement on Tuesday, Solidarity reported that it had served court documents on the Department of Health (DOH), requesting an interdict to be placed on the department’s “unlawful” advertising of posts for the National Health Insurance (NHI). This after the trade union had earlier threatened the department with legal action if it did not withdraw advertisements for 44 NHI posts placed in August this year. Solidarity argued that such advertising, while the Bill still had to pass parliamentary processes, was unlawful. “The department’s advertisements clearly indicate that it is recruiting competent specialists to assist with preparations for the functions of the NHI fund. It therefore is obvious that the government views the passing of the NHI Bill as a fait accompli and is taking steps while the Bill to operationalise the NHI has not yet been adopted. Such an approach is irrational, unconstitutional and unlawful,” Connie Mulder, Head of the Solidarity Research Institute, explained. According to Solidarity, the National Treasury has already made R30 million available for salaries for the 44 posts for the 2022/2023 financial year, and the DOH intends making appointments to the vacant posts in December 2022. “The fact that funds are spent on posts for a system that has not yet been authorised for implementation, rather than filling the existing gaps in the health sector, indicates that the government is hell-bent on demolishing everything instead of trying to restore the existing system, to the detriment of the health of all South African citizens,” Mulder argued. Read Solidarity’s press statement regarding the above in full at Solidarity News. Lees ook, Departement hof toe gesleep oor omstrede NGV-poste, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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