MEETING TO DISCUSS COSATU WESTERN CAPE NOTICE OF PROTEST
ACTION REGARDING VIOLENCE IN THE TRANSPORT
INDUSTRY
A meeting was held in Cape Town yesterday between the Nedlac
parties, the Western Cape region of the Congress of South African
Trade Unions and representatives of the Western Cape Provincial
Administration, to discuss the notice of possible protest action
tabled by Cosatu regarding the violence in the transport industry
in that region.
At the meeting, it was agreed that a further meeting would be
held between Cosatu and the political office-bearers of the Western
Cape Government, including the Premier, Gerald Morkel, and the MEC
for Safety and Security, who were not available for yesterday's
meeting.
The parties would then report back to the Nedlac committee once
that meeting had taken place. In the meantime, Cosatu would not
undertake any protest action.
Background
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.