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.
Competition Tribunal orders Lewis to submit affidavit on link between layoffs and UFO acquisition
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Business Report writes that the Competition Tribunal on Wednesday ordered retailer Lewis Group to submit an affidavit pertaining to its acquisition of high-end furniture retailer United Furniture Outlets (UFO).
Truck driver in Free State deadly train collision tests negative for alcohol
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ANA reports that the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) said on Wednesday that preliminary findings into last week’s collision in the Free State between a train and a truck, which killed 19 people, showed the truck driver had tested negative for alcohol.
Alleged illegal miner killed in fall of rocks at Limpopo chrome mine
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ANA reports that a 44-year-old alleged illegal miner was killed in rock fall in Driekop outside Burgersfort on Wednesday.
Silicosis class action appeal on hold as settlement with gold mineworkers beckons
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BusinessLive reports that in a clear sign that a multibillion-rand settlement between gold mining companies and lawyers representing tens of thousands of former mine workers with silicosis is near, both sides have asked for and have been granted a postponement of an appeal at the Supreme Court of Appeal.
Prasa blames vandals for spate of commuter train accidents, but manual signalling process implicated
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The Citizen reports that Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) Acting CEO Mthura Swartz on Wednesday blamed vandalism and cable theft after two trains collided near Germiston this week.
Burst truck tyre seriously injures two in Pretoria industrial accident
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ANA reports that two people were seriously injured on Wednesday, in an industrial accident at a business on Boeing road in Pretoria east.
Nehawu prepares for strike at NSFAS over failed salary negotiations
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The New Age reports that the National Education Health & Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) is preparing for a strike at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) following failed negotiations in the bargaining council.
‘Human error’ to blame for Germiston train accident, says regulator
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The Citizen reports that the Rail Safety Regulator (RSR) has blamed human error for Tuesday’s rear-end collision between two Metrorail trains at a station in Germiston.
Transport Minister orders Prasa and safety regulator to speed up train crash probes
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The New Age reports that Transport Minister Joe Maswanganyi has ordered the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) and the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) to speed up the investigations into two train accidents that happened only five days apart.
Numsa rejects proposed curbs on right to strike and R20 national minimum wage
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ANA reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) said on Tuesday it rejected proposed changes to the country's labour laws, which it argued would limit the right to strike.
UNTU calls for Rail Safety Regulator and Prasa to be charged with attempted murder
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eNCA reports that the United National Transport Union (UNTU) has demanded that the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) and the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) should be charged with 200 counts of attempted murder.
Gold miners close to settlement in silicosis class action lawsuit
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Reuters reports that the class action brought by thousands of mineworkers who contracted silicosis and tuberculosis while working for South African gold mining companies has been postponed because the parties are close to a settlement, lawyers for the companies said on Wednesday.
Metrorail says less than 100 victims of Germiston train crash still in hospital
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EWN reports that according to Metrorail, fewer than a hundred commuters who were involved in the train collision in Germiston remained in hospital on Wednesday morning.
Let law take its course in ‘tractor shooting’ case, say cops
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The Citizen reports that Gauteng police have eventually clarified the identity of man initially reported to have been a Krugersdorp farmer who shot an employee using a tractor to travel home for lunch.
Waste collection resumes in eThekwini after EPWP workers end strike over permanent jobs
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ANA reports that the eThekwini Municipality said on Tuesday that the City's refuse removal services had resumed after its Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) employees reported to work.
Saccawu concerned takeover by Lewis Group of UFO could lead to job losses
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The New Age reports that concerns over retrenchments have been raised by the SA Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers' Union (Saccawu) before the expected merger between the Lewis Group and United Furniture Outlets (UFO).
Koko’s lawyers warn BLSA and Numsa to stop trashing his Eskom disciplinary hearing
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Business Report writes that lawyers for Eskom head of generation, Matshela Koko, have sent notes to Business Leadership SA (BLSA) and the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), warning them to desist from condemning his recent disciplinary hearing.
Cape Metrorail suspends services on central line after deadly shooting in Khayelitsha
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TimesLive reports that Metrorail has suspended its central line train services in Cape Town following a shooting incident in Khayelitsha on Tuesday night.
SANDF warns that recruitment adverts on social media are fake
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ANA reports that the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) on Tuesday warned of false advertisements circulating on social media calling for the recruitment of new members for Military Skills Development System.
Junior doctors say government disorganised in placing graduates in internships
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EWN reports that junior doctors have complained about government’s lack of organisation in the placement of medical graduates in public hospitals.
Matriculants warned not to fake qualifications for jobs
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ANA reports that a background screening company on Monday urged high school graduates who fail to get places to study at tertiary institutions against faking their certificates to give themselves an edge in the tight job market.
Police investigate conflicting statements about perpetrator in deadly of farmworker shooting
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News24 reports that police are investigating why conflicting statements were sent out over a shooting incident at Tarlton, close to Krugersdorp, after it was confirmed that a security guard, not a farmer as initially stated, was involved in the incident.
HETN asks court to prevent WSU law degree accreditation from being revoked
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BusinessLive reports that a lobby group, the Higher Education Transformation Network (HETN), has brought an urgent high court application to interdict the Council for Higher Education (CHE) from proceeding with its decision to revoke the accreditation of the Walter Sisulu University’s (WSU’s) law degree.
Two passenger trains collide in Germiston on Monday, scores injured but no fatalities
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ANA reports that more than 200 people were injured on Tuesday morning after two Metrorail passenger trains collided at the Geldenhuys Station in Germiston.
Human rights body steps in amid staff race row at Unisa law college
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The Star reports that allegations of racial tension at the University of SA (Unisa) have prompted the urgent intervention of the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).
Unions want urgent answers on how free education will work
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News24 reports that two unions said on Monday that the country needed an urgent explanation about how free education for the poor and academically deserving, announced last month by President Jacob Zuma, would be implemented and paid for.
Striking EPWP refuse collectors raise a stink in Durban CBD on Monday
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TimesLive reports that city bins were upended and putrid litter strewn throughout the Durban CBD as refuse collectors went on strike on Monday.
Most SA-born junior doctors placed in internships, but fate of foreign graduates unclear
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City Press reports that junior doctors have blamed government’s lack of planning for the emotional roller coaster they faced about starting their compulsory community service this month.
SA royals get a substantial pay hike
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Business Report writes that the official salaries of South Africa’s kings, queens, and other traditional leaders have been published for the 2018 financial year.
Cape Town court clerk granted bail in matter of bribery to ‘make case go away’
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TimesLive reports that a Cape Town court clerk‚ Siyabulela Sono‚ has been granted bail of R2‚000 after appearing in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court on Friday for alleged corruption.