In our roundup of weekend news, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related stories that appeared since
Friday, 14 October 2022.
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Workers spurn Transnet latest wage offer, vow to go on with strike BL Premium reports that unions at Transnet on Sunday spurned the rail utility’s most recent wage offer and vowed to continue with their strike. The United National Transport Union (Untu), the second-biggest union at Transnet, said it would hold further talks with the employer on Monday. The SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu), the largest at the rail utility, has also dug in its heels, saying its members would continue on the picket line unless Transnet came back with a better offer. Satawu and Untu are demanding an increase above the inflation rate of 7.6%. Untu general secretary Cobus van Vuuren said that while the strike would continue at the regular picketing sites, talks were set to continue in a bid to end the impasse. “The Untu wage negotiation team and Transnet management will be engaging in further discussions on Monday and members will be advised of the outcome,” said Van Vuuren. The union on Sunday disputed reports that it had no problem with the latest single-digit offer on condition that jobs were safe. Satawu deputy general secretary Anele Kiet advised that its more than 20,000 members who were on strike in all nine provinces were clear that the strike must go on. “Until Transnet comes back to us with a meaningful offer, the strike continues. We have notified the CCMA. Our members want a double-digit or an above inflation-related increase, and also a guarantee that the state-owned entity won’t shed jobs,” said Kiet. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mary Papayya at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Satawu rejects CCMA's proposed settlement offer with Transnet Fin24 reports that members of the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) have rejected the Commission of Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration’s (CCMA’s) recommendations to try and solve its wage dispute with Transnet. On Thursday, the CCMA Commissioner proposed a settlement between the two parties following negotiations held from 10 to 15 October. "Although we appreciate the efforts of the Commissioner … our members have unanimously rejected the recommendations," Satawu general secretary Jack Mazibuko wrote in a letter addressed to the CEO at the Transnet Bargaining Council, Mthimkhulu Mashiya. Mazibuko said the union couldn't accept the settlement recommendation because the Commissioner's proposal was below inflation. "Our members feel that accepting anything below inflation will be a detriment of their livelihoods. They will accept anything above inflation," he indicated. Mazibuko said another reason for rejecting the CCMA's proposed settlement offer was that in Satawu's previous negotiations with Transnet, their negotiations contained a "no-retrenchment" clause, but the union now had to accept a retrenchment clause. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Londiwe Buthelezi at Fin24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Vehicle manufacturers sign three-year wage deal with Numsa BL Premium reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has signed a three-year above-inflation wage deal with the country’s vehicle manufacturers. The union and the Automobile Manufacturers Employers Organisation (Ameo), which represents Toyota Motors SA, Nissan, Isuzu, Ford, VW SA, BMW SA and Mercedes-Benz, have signed a pay deal that will see workers getting rises of 8.5% in the first year backdated to 1 July. In the subsequent years of the deal, workers will get increases of 7% or consumer price inflation, whichever is greater. The union also secured a further R10,000 in a once-off taxable cash gratuity. Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim said the R10,000 cash gratuity would be paid to employees in the bargaining unit in the next payroll cycle. The Numsa-Ameo wage deal, signed at the National Bargaining Forum on Friday afternoon, is valid from July 2022 to June 2025. The first year increase is above the 6.5% headline inflation rate the Reserve Bank has forecast for 2022, and comes as the union had been demanding inflation-beating increases to cope with the rising cost of living that has seen food, fuel, electricity and transport costs shoot through the roof. The wage deal also focuses on other conditions such as an improved housing subsidy and job grading. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Numsa secures 8.5% wage increase for the automotive sector, higher subsidies and gratuity payments, at Fin24
Popcru concerned about number of police murders News24 reports that the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has raised concerns about the number of police murders in SA. According to the union, more than 30 police killings were reported between April 2021 and March 2022. In the latest incident in Boksburg, Gauteng, on Thursday, two officers were disarmed and shot dead while responding to a complaint. According to police spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe, the officers were responding to an "unnatural death" complaint. While waiting for a mortuary van at the crime scene, three men shot and disarmed them of their service pistols and bulletproof vests, before fleeing on foot, she reported. Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said police management's failure to curb attacks has increased officers' fears for their safety and security. He said officers were being singled out as targets for attacks for their firearms, which were later utilised to perpetrate further criminal activities. “Many members of the SAPS are justifiably angered by this trend wherein their colleagues continue to be killed and are specific targets of attack. They consider themselves to be forgotten and neglected victims … In their view, the overall perception is that the SAPS appears reluctant to do anything,” he claimed. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at News24. Lees ook, Twee polisiebeamptes in Boksburg vermoor, by Maroela Media Revise allowances and introduce danger pay, says Popcru after latest police killings EWN reports that the Police and Prison Civil Rights Union (Popcru) said there is an urgent need to review service allowances to consider introducing danger pay. The union said this will help allay fears among law enforcement officers amid continued police killings. The latest incident occurred on Thursday night when two on-duty Boksburg police officers were accosted by three gunmen. “With the allowances currently standing at R400 since 2001, we have submitted a position paper in the bargaining council wherein we are demanding our allowance be increased to R1,500,” said Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo. The union has also called for a policing indaba to discuss the murders of law enforcement officers as well as solutions. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nkosikhona Duma at EWN SANDF soldier killed, two injured in Pretoria shooting on Saturday The Citizen reports that the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed that one soldier died and two others were injured after a shooting incident in Atteridgeville, Pretoria on Saturday. In a statement, the SANDF said the incident occurred while the soldiers were off duty. The injured soldiers were transported to a military hospital in Thaba Tshwane for further treatment. Circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear. The shooting is being investigated by police, and the deceased’s name will be released once his next of kin have been notified. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by The Citizen. Lees ook, SANW-lid sterf in skietery; twee gewond, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Mpumalanga police arrest 271 suspected illegal miners on Thursday News24 reports that Mpumalanga police stopped an allegedly illegal mining operation dead in its tracks in Mbombela on Thursday and arrested 271 suspected zama zamas. Police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala indicated: "The team managed to confiscate one front loader, three trucks, six bakkies, wheelbarrows and other implements which are believed to be used in illegal mining operations. The trucks and bakkies were reportedly loaded with coal. All the arrested suspects were charged with illegal mining and further investigation will be conducted with the Department of Home Affairs about the foreign nationals' legality in the republic." Of the 271 people arrested, 138 were South African. Gert Sibande district police were assisted by Ermelo police, the National Intervention Unit, the Ermelo K9 Unit, the police's air wing, the Department of Home Affairs and local security companies. On Friday, Police Minister Bheki Cele visited Matsulu in Mpumalanga where community members raised concerns about what was being done to curb illegal mining. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisalee Solomons at News24 Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
In addition to unlimited free electricity and water, ministers can employ more personal staffers Sunday Times reports that while the average citizen is battered by soaring living and fuel costs, it seems there’s no limit on luxury for members of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s bloated and well-paid executive. Hot on the heels of news that ministers and their deputies will now enjoy unlimited free water and electricity at their official residences, it has emerged that they will also be entitled to employ more personal staff. This is contained in the latest version of the ministerial handbook, which provides guidelines on office benefits and perks that can be enjoyed by ministers, their deputies, premiers and MECs. But, following pressure from the public, the Presidency has announced that the handbook will be reviewed. But while it is still in place, “food aides”, “household aides’’ and “portfolio co-ordinators” are just some of the new posts created for ministers. Some of these positions pay up to R1m a year. The new posts will cost taxpayers about R87m a year. While these positions were provided for in previous ministerial handbooks, they were scrapped when Ramaphosa pledged to cut over-spending by implementing austerity measures in a 2019 handbook. The latest handbook shows that Ramaphosa has reneged on a 2019 cabinet decision to limit the number of ministerial private staff to 11, by increasing it to 15. The handbook was quietly amended by Ramaphosa in April and is seen as a slap in the face of the public after the cost-cutting measures he introduced in 2019. Nonetheless, the 2019 changes to the handbook were largely not implemented as most ministers and their deputies already had food aides and household aides and could not fire them in the middle of their contracts. Government insiders have criticised the move to revive the posts, saying such positions are not necessary for ministerial offices as permanent departmental staff already fulfil those duties. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thabo Mokone at Sunday Times (subscriber access only). Read too, DA furious about R87m ministerial handbook sleight of hand, at The Citizen. And also, Giggling Gungubele defends minister’s perks, at City Press (subscriber access only) Five hours joyride in a state chopper for police general while his car was being serviced Sunday Independent reports that a police general is facing the music after he allegedly took a state helicopter on a 296-minute joyride while waiting for his car to be serviced. Major-General Gopolang Patrick Asaneng has now been charged with fraud, but has not been suspended because “he is politically connected.” He has also been accused of submitting a false claim that his car, a Ford Ranger, travelled for 44 kilometres “on official duties” while the vehicle was being serviced. Moreover, he has been accused of submitting false claims for two dinners which “he knew he was not entitled to claim.” According to an internal police investigation report, on 7 May 2019 Asaneng dropped off his car at a dealership in Potchefstroom for service then allegedly arranged for a police helicopter, a R44 Raven II, to fly him to Mahikeng under the pretext that he was attending an incident where ballot boxes were burnt. But police officers who attended the crime scene, submitted affidavits saying he was never there. In the same afternoon, after his car had been serviced, General Asaneng allegedly flew back from Mahikeng to Potchefstroom to collect it. The internal investigation report states that the helicopter spent 296 minutes in the air and had to refuel twice. General Asaneng is the deputy provincial police commissioner for North West province. Western Cape police commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile, who was the investigating officer of the departmental investigation, recommended that “no steps should be taken against” Asaneng, so ignoring all the evidence submitted against the general. Two police generals have claimed that Asaneng was being protected because he was “politically connected and belongs to the right faction of the SAPS.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mzilikazi Wa Afrika at Sunday Independent
Some 200 jobs on the line as Naledi Foundry, which is partly-owned by the IDC, goes up for auction Fin24 reports that around 200 employees at Naledi Foundry in Gauteng, which was placed into business rescue in April, have fears about their futures after the group's assets were put up for auction. The foundry, which falls under the Naledi Inhlanganiso Group, is 46% owned by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), which has invested R557 million into the venture. When Naledi was placed into business rescue following unsustainable financial losses, it had 211 employees. Until production halted, it manufactured components for the mining, automotive and railway industries. Staff, who have been asked to stay at home, are now anxiously waiting to see what they will get from the auction. Naledi's business rescue practitioner, Lebogang Mpakati of Indalo Business Restructuring, confirmed last week that all the group's assets were up for sale. Final bids for the items on auction, which include multiple furnaces, workshops and 10ha of land, must be submitted by 28 October. Mpakati said creditors, stakeholders and business rescue practitioners would next meet on 30 November once the auction had been concluded. At that meeting, the business rescue plan will be updated and adopted, and the retrenchment processes for workers will officially commence. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jan Cronje at Fin24
Dis-Chem sticks to moratorium on hiring of whites Fin24 reports that pharmaceutical retailer Dis-Chem has imposed a moratorium on hiring white people in a bid to improve its employment equity profile. In a letter to senior management dated 19 September, CEO Ivan Saltzman announced the moratorium, which includes external appointments and internal promotions. "It’s the ratio between white and black that counts. So, when no suitable black candidate is found, and a white is appointed, we need several blacks just to maintain the status quo, never mind moving forward," wrote Saltzman. He referred to employment equity targets, and said that as Dis-Chem was a listed group, these "are harsh measures and necessary if we are to remain profitable and to avoid a potential fine of 10% of turnover which would cripple the business". Saltzman said the achievement of set employment equity targets would be incorporated into the bonus structures of management. On Friday, Solidarity shared the internal memo in a tweet, with its CEO Dirk Hermann indicating that the trade union had sent Dis-Chem a legal letter about the "harsh" racial stance in it. He asked "how on earth a letter like this could ever have been written in the first place". While Hermann claimed that Dis-Chem had retracted the memo, Dis-Chem told News24 Business that the "memo still stands, and Dis-Chem reiterates its commitment to the transformation journey". Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nick Wilson at Fin24. Lees ook, Dis-Chem hét brief oor wittes gestuur, by Maroela Media. En verder, Herrie oor Dis-Chem se ‘moratorium op wit werkers’, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Huge Transnet graft case against Brian Molefe and co-accused on track for November BL Premium reports that former CEO of the Transnet group Brian Molefe and his co-accused appeared in the Palm Ridge specialised commercial crimes court on graft charges on Friday. They were handed a draft charge sheet and will next appear in court on 30 November. The state promised to provide the “voluminous docket” with filings on the case against them before the court date in November. Investigative Directorate (ID) spokesperson Sindisiwe Seboka said the group was arraigned on charges stemming from the locomotives transaction advisory tender which was awarded to a McKinsey-led consortium in 2012. It resulted in the procurement of 1,064 locomotives worth over R54bn. The ID of the National Prosecuting Authority brought the case over a R398.4m “consultancy corruption contract” at the state-owned enterprise for the procurement of the locomotives. Molefe’s co-accused, consulting firm McKinsey, was joined in the dock by former Transnet CFOs Anoj Singh and Garry Pita, former treasurer Phetolo Ramosebudi, and the former CEO of the SOE’s freight unit Siyabonga Gama. The other accused, all of whom were in court, are Regiments directors Niven Pillay and Litha Nyhonhya, shareholder Eric Wood, Trillian Asset Management (now Novum Asset Management) director Daniel Roy, and Kuben Moodley of Albatime. The ID alleges Regiments profited from the irregular appointment. The contract, Seboka said, ballooned to over R305m and incorporated a range of services including obtaining a loan from the China Development Bank and financing a $2.5bn club loan for Transnet. The accused also face charges linked to the R93.4m paid to Trillian Asset Management in 2015. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Erin Bates at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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