NOTICE OF POSSIBLE PROTEST ACTION REGARDING JOB LOSSES
IN THE PLASTIC BAG INDUSTRY
16 October 2003
A second meeting was held at Nedlac today to consider a 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 today´s 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.
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.
Issued by Nedlac
Jennifer Wilson
083 652 8524