COSATU WESTERN CAPE TABLES NOTICE OF PROTEST ACTION
AGAINST CAPE METRORAIL
The Congress of South African Trade Unions Western Cape region
has tabled a notice to the National Economic Development and Labour
Council, Nedlac, of possible protest action directed at Cape
Metrorail, the Minister of Transport, the South African Rail
Commuter Corporation and Provincial and Local Government.
Cosatu says the reason for the possible protest action concerns
the administration of railway services by Cape Metrorail.
Satawu's notice specifies a number of demands, including that
Cape Metrorail should immediately restore all the trains whose
services it discontinued as from November 2001. The notice is also
concerned about safety on trains and stations.
The notice will be forwarded to Nedlac's Standing Committee on
Section 77 notices, which will give an opinion on whether the
notice meets the criteria for Section 77 protest action as set out
in the Labour Relations Act. If the committee finds that it does
meet the criteria, a meeting of the union and the parties specified
in the notice will be called.
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
18 February 2002
Jennifer Wilson
Communications Coordinator
Nedlac
(011) 482-2511
fax: 482 4650