COSATU WESTERN CAPE TABLES NOTICE OF PROTEST ACTION
REGARDING VIOLENCE IN THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY
The Western Cape region of the Congress of South African Trade
Unions has tabled a notice of possible protest action regarding the
ongoing violence in the transport industry in the Western Cape. The
notice is directed at the Western Cape Provincial Government, which
Cosatu believes has the means at its disposal in terms of transport
and security legislation to end the conflict. The federation has
indicated that the protest action would take the form of a 24-hour
stayaway in the Western Cape.
The notice was tabled in terms of Section 77 of the Labour
Relations Act, which allows registered trade unions or federations
of trade unions to undertake protest action to promote and protect
the social and economic interests of workers, if they follow
certain procedures. Before embarking on protest action, the trade
union concerned is required to serve notice on Nedlac stating the
reasons for the protest action and the intended nature of the
protest action. The Act requires the Nedlac parties to meet with
the trade union and the parties at whom the notice is directed, to
consider the issues raised. Should the issues remain unresolved
after thorough consideration, workers are entitled to participate
in protected protest action 14 days after serving a second notice
on Nedlac of their intention to proceed with the action.
In the notice served on Nedlac, Cosatu argues that the violence
in the transport industry is having a negative impact on the lives
of workers in respect of:
- The working conditions of bus and taxi drivers
- Members facing disciplinary measures for late coming and
absenteeism at the workplace due to the disruption of services
- The ability of workers residing in the affected areas to seek a
living and carry out economic activity
- The impact on operators and employers in the industry which
could impact on the ability of the industry to preserve and create
jobs in the province.
A meeting of the Nedlac parties with Cosatu and the Western Cape
Provincial Government is being set up for next week.