Transnet SOC Limited decided to capitulate at the eleven hour on the Festive Leave issue after their management realized that they were most likely going to get mud on their faces for a second time in the Labour Court in Johannesburg.
After two weeks of causing havoc and frustrating amongst its employees with misleading information about the Labour Court ruling in favour of the United National Transport Union (UNTU), the company finally reach an agreement with UNTU on the words that would be used to clarify the issue to its employees.
This comes after Judges Christina Prinsloo ruled earlier that Transnet beached the principals of collective agreements with UNTU when it enforced employees to take leave over the Festive Season of 2015 due to operational requirements. Prinsloo said it was not for the company to determine when leave should be taken because the collective agreement makes no express provision that entitles Transnet to compel employees to take annual leave during shut down periods or periods when operational demands are low.
The company did not appeal against her judgement, but denied that it was breaching the collective agreement by forcing its employees to take leave this year over the Festive period again due to a shutdown in operations.
UNTU then brought an urgent application in the Labour Court to interdict Transnet form enforcing leave on its employees. The application would have been heard tomorrow.
Steve Harris, General Secretary of UNTU, said the union has withdrawn this application after the company gave undertakings in writing this morning at the Transnet Bargaining Council. Transnet agreed not to force employees to take leave or unpaid leave over this period.
“UNTU welcomes the fact that Transnet finally saw the light. Rather late than never,” Harris said.
For enquiries phone Harris on 082 566 5516.
Issued on behalf of UNTU by Sonja Carstens, Media and Liaison Officer. For UNTU Press Releases e-mail sonja@untu.co.za or phone 082 463 6806.
