The United National Transport Union (UNTU) welcomes the ruling of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to not grant, DETAWU, South African Transport and Allied Workers Union, organisational rights in the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA).
The CCMA found that DETAWU were not deemed to be sufficiently representative with their purported 336 members in PRASA. Their list of members was not accurate, as some of the Union’s so-called members belonged to other Unions.
UNTU is the majority Union in PRASA, representing 6 526 (47.14%) of the 14 000 employees, of the passenger rail service. The threshold for organisational rights in PRASA, regulated by a collective agreement with the majority Union, is 20% plus 1.
Steve Harris, General Secretary of UNTU, says DETAWU could not convince the Commissioner, Colleen West, that they represent a significant interest or a substantial number of employees within PRASA.
“Even if DETAWU could prove that their so-called membership figure is correct, they still represent less than 3% of employees within PRASA. DETAWU also could not prove that the employees they represent have significant interest to the employer,” says Harris.
This award in favour of UNTU confirms a similar award made against the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA) by the CCMA. NUMSA was refused organisational rights in TRANSNET, because the Union did not meet the threshold of 25% for recognition in the Transnet Bargaining Council. UNTU represents 51% of employees in Transnet.
“Employees must be mindful not to be misled by wannabe Trade Unions in PRASA, TRANSNET and BOMBELA where UNTU is the majority Union. These wannabe’s spread lies with misleading information about current negotiations, arbitrations and whatever else they believe might convince ill-informed employees to join their Union.
“The truth is that the wannabe Unions cannot assist them in any manner as they are not recognised as a role player. If you want to buy a new car, you search for the best affordable value for money.
The same applies when you search for the best Trade Union to assist you. You go to the experts in the industry, UNTU, who has been in existence for more than a century and provides the best added benefits amongst all other Unions in South Africa.
“You also choose UNTU because you know that this Union has received unqualified audits over the past few decades. As a member of the Union you know that your membership contributions will not be wasted on flashy cars and trips abroad, but on providing you the excellent service and assistance that you are entitled to,” says Harris.
For more information contact Steve Harris on 082 566 5516.
Issued on behalf of UNTU by Sonja Carstens, Media and Liaison Officer. For UNTU Press Statements phone 082 463 6806 or e-mail sonja@untu.co.za
