SECTION 77 UPDATES

Breakthrough on plastic bags impasse

A second meeting under the auspices of the Section 77 standing committee was held at Nedlac on 16 October to consider the notice tabled by Cosatu and its affiliate Ceppwawu, the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union, as well as Nactu-affiliate Sacwu (South African Chemical Workers´ Union) of possible protest action regarding job losses in the plastic bags industry

The notice was directed at Government, in particular the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, and retailers. The unions gave as reason for the possible protest action the job losses that have resulted from the drop in demand for plastic bags following the introduction of charging for plastic bags.

Parties agreed at the meeting to work within the plastic bags task team on a joint communication, which would be widely distributed, to clarify misunderstandings that had arisen as a result of the September 2002 agreement between the parties not being properly communicated. The meeting was attended by representatives of Government, organised business, major retailers, and the unions.

If this strategy is successful, the union would hold off on the protest action, and re-evaluate the situation next year.

Jobs losses notice in the Clothing, textile and leather industries still under discussion

Nedlac´s Standing Committee on Section 77 notices held its first meeting to consider the notice tabled by the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers´ Union, SACTWU, regarding job losses in the clothing, textiles and footwear industries. A further meeting will be held on 29 October.