NEDLAC FACILITATES DISCUSSIONS
ON THE CLOSURE OF DERDEPOORT HOSPITAL
A special meeting of Nedlac's management committee yesterday
facilitated an agreed way forward on the closure of Derdepoort
Hospital in the North West Province. The National Union of Public
Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW) had tabled a notice of protest
action against the North West Provincial Government on this issue,
arguing that the closure of the hospital would havesocio-economic
consequences for the community that was dependent on the hospital,
as well as the workers who were part of that community. The North
West Government has said that the hospital is under-utilised.
Section 77(1)(b) of the Labour Relations Actgives workers the
right to embark on protest action to promote and protect
theirsocio-economic interests, providing they follow certain
procedures. Nedlac is required to consider the notice with a view
to resolving the matter through a process of facilitation.
At the meeting, Nedlac brought together unionmembers,
representatives of the North West government and members of the
affected communities. The parties resolved that a technical
committee would be established including representatives of
provincial government, representative trade unions and affected
communities to further discuss the closure of the hospital. The
committee would explore alternative suitable options such as the
establishment of 24 hour clinics, and theprovision of emergency
transport services to other hospitals, as well as time periods
forimplementation. The parties further agreed that matters of
mutual interest between employers and employees would be dealt with
by way of collective bargaining within the recognised bargaining
structures. They reserved their right to proceed with any
furtheraction available to them in the event that the above
agreements were not implemented.
This is the second Section 77 notice that Nedlac has considered
in this week. On Wednesday, Nedlac considered the issue of the
state of the criminal courts and excessive demands being placed on
public prosecutors. In both cases away forward agreeable to both
parties was found, and protest action was averted.
Ends