NOTICES OF INTENDED SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROTEST ACTION

Nedlac has a statutory obligation, placed on it by Section 77 of the Labour Relations Act, to consider notices of intended socio-economic protest action, tabled by registered trade unions or federations of trade unions.

Cosatu
Cosatu tabled a notice on 21 December regarding the issues upon which government has proposed amendments to the Labour Relations Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the Insolvency Act. The notice is also directed at business, because of, as Cosatu indicates in its notice, "business' responses and attitude towards these issues". The notice is being considered.

Fedusa
A notice was submitted regarding the restructuring, privatisation and outsourcing of local government services. At a meeting between the applicants and the Department of Provincial and Local Government, it was agreed that the discussions would proceed on a bilateral basis. In the event of a deadlock being reached, it was agreed that parties would revert to the Nedlac process.

National Union of Food, Beverage, Wine, Spirits and Allied Workers
A meeting to consider the notice was scheduled, but the applicant did not appear. Nedlac will follow up to get further details from the union.

South African Transport and Allied Workers Union
The notice was submitted in relation to the judicial management of Northwest Transport Investments, a company said to be a state asset. The Standing Committee was unable to ascertain whether this matter fell within the ambit of Section 77 because of a High Court ruling that its permission had to be sought before any processes could be raised against the company. The Committee will seek senior counsel's opinion as to the conflict between the LRA and the High Court's judgement.