Today's Labour News
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.
Metrorail’s central line in Cape Town still not operating on Monday
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EWN reports that there was still no joy on Monday for train commuters who rely on the central line in Cape Town. A string of misfortune has left the line paralysed for days.
Deal to purchase Lily and Barbrook mines in jeopardy
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City Press reports that a deal by a local minerals and investment company to buy the cash-strapped Lily and Barbrook mines is mired in controversy and could collapse before the end of this month.
Ex Palabora Mining employees launch class action against pension fund liquidator
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City Press reports that more than 3,000 former mine workers have launched a class action against a liquidator they have accused of being secretive about the R421.9m surplus accrued in their pension fund.
The poor won’t be scapegoats for Cape Town’s water crisis incompetence, warns Cosatu
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EWN reports that in a protest organised by labour federation Cosatu, a group of demonstrators gathered outside the City of Cape Town’s council offices on Sunday, demanding a concrete solution to the water crisis.
SANDF warns of recruitment scam in Eastern Cape and Western Cape
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News24 reports that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has warned of a recruitment scam operating in the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape.
'New Eskom board must act speedily on recruitment of permanent execs'
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ANA reports that the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) said on Sunday that the newly appointed Eskom board should speedily start with the process of identifying and recruiting the best permanent executive talent for the power utility.
With wage talks still deadlocked, Unisa loses bid to interdict Nehawu strike
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EWN reports that negotiations between the National Education Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) and the University of South Africa (Unisa) are still deadlocked amid an ongoing strike for wage increases.
Saftu welcomes AFU’s action to recover Gupta-linked 'proceeds of crime'
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ANA reports that the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has welcomed the preservation order granted by the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein against the Gupta-linked Estina dairy business.
Amcu calls for all efforts to be made to find platinum belt killers
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EWN reports that the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) has called on law enforcement agencies to must leave no stone unturned in order to find the perpetrators behind the killings of miners on the Rustenburg platinum belt.
Probe underway after Steinhoff provides PSA and Fedusa with financial records
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EWN reports that the Public Servants Association (PSA) and the Federation of Unions of SA (Fedusa) have started with their investigation into Steinhoff.
Shot NUM branch leader at Lonmin dies in hospital
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Reuters reports that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Friday that its branch chairman at Lonmin’s Eastern Platinum Mine, who was shot by unknown assailants at his home in Bapong village near Brits on Thursday night, subsequently died in hospital.
Amid strike, Unisa extends deadlines for applications and registration
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EWN reports that the University of South Africa (Unisa) has decided to extend applications for the 2018 academic year to Tuesday, 23 January, while the closing date for registrations has been moved to 30 January.
DA in Vaal region opposes R55m pay hike for Emfuleni municipal councillors
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ANA reports that the Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Thursday it would oppose proposed salary hikes at Gauteng’s Emfuleni municipality, arguing that the money should instead be used to improve services.
Trains on Cape Town’s Central Line won’t run on Friday and possibly the weekend
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BusinessLive reports that no trains will run on Cape Town’s busiest commuter line for the rest of the week‚ and possibly over the weekend.
Nehawu says Unisa strike will continue if demands not met
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EWN reports that the National Education Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) says the strike by its members at the University of South Africa (Unisa) will continue indefinitely if the institution refuses to meet their demands.
NUM branch chairman at Lonmin shot on Thursday, wife also wounded
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eNCA reports that according to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the well-known branch chairperson of Eastern Platinum Mine at platinum producer Lonmin was shot at his home in Bapong village near Brits on Thursday night.
Employee killed in accident at Harmony Gold’s Tshepong mine
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Mining Weekly reports that Harmony Gold on Thursday stated that an employee at its Tshepong mine, near Welkom, in the Free State, had been killed in a mining equipment-related incident on Wednesday afternoon.
DUT students encouraged to register online due to Nehawu strike
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Business Report writes that Durban University of Technology (DUT) employees went on strike this week demanding a 10% annual salary increase.
Solidarity’s Gideon du Plessis says the public sector wage outcome will set tone for other sectors
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Gideon du Plessis, general secretary of trade union Solidarity, writes that the outcome of the current public sector negotiations, where public service unions and the government are heading for confrontation, may determine the labour relations climate for 2018.
Fawu concerned over protracted wage strike at Tongaat Hulett Starch Division
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The New Age reports that the Food and Allied Workers Union (Fawu) is deeply concerned about the protracted strike at Tongaat Hulett Starch Division, as it does not see any end in sight.
Dead illegal miners found near Benoni shaft all Lesotho nationals
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The New Age reports that the seven suspected illegal miners (zama zamas) whose bodies were found in Benoni on Sunday have all been identified as Lesotho nationals.
Eskom in secret talks on golden handshake for Matshela Koko
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BusinessLive reports that embattled state-owned power utility Eskom, which has described its financial situation as "very dire", is in secret discussions to terminate the employment of controversial executive Matshela Koko.
Fedusa and PSA head to Steinhoff offices to get access to company records
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BusinessLive reports that the Federation of Unions of SA (Fedusa) and its largest affiliate, the Public Servants Association (PSA), will be visiting the Stellenbosch offices of troubled global retailer Steinhoff on Friday.
In merger with UFO, Competition Tribunal bars Lewis from retrenching for two years
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Fin24 reports that the merger between furniture companies Lewis and United Furniture Outlets (UFO) has been granted by the Competition Tribunal, on condition that there are no merger-related retrenchments for the next two years.
Resumption of service on Cape Town’s Central Line halted by train derailment
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ANA reports that the resumption of Metrorail services on Thursday morning was marred when a train came off the rails along the notorious Central Line in Cape Town.
Dis-Chem initiates discussions with 760 strikers at distribution centre, head office
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ANA reports that retail firm Dis-Chem said on Thursday that approximately 760 employees had gone on strike at its Midrand distribution centre and head office but trading and operations at its 131 stores were not affected.
Sadtu and PSA reject state’s salary increase offer
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The Star reports that the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) has slammed the government’s offer of a salary increase of up to 5.3% for the lowest-paid public servants, saying politicians gave themselves more than that as a pay hike.
DA proposes PIC chair be appointed by Cabinet, with board to have union representative
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BusinessLive reports that the Democratic Alliance (DA) has proposed that the chairperson of the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) should be appointed by Cabinet on the recommendation of the National Assembly.
Police officer shot and killed in Brakpan after withdrawing money from ATM
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EWN reports that a police officer has been shot and killed in Brakpan, on the East Rand, after he withdrew a large amount of money from an ATM machine.
Wits vice-chancellor Adam Habib calls for compromise as staff rejects wage offer
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BusinessLive reports that University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) vice-chancellor Adam Habib on Wednesday urged labour unions to exercise restraint in their wage demands.