Judge Portia Nkituta-Nkontwana today dismissed the urgent application of the United National Transport Union (UNTU) to force the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) to implement the wage agreement, because she believes there would be no “harm” if speedy payment is not made.
“Given the number of collective agreements that are concluded in the ordinary cause of the wage negotiation season, the urgent enforcement thereof by the Labour Court would open a flood gate of urgent applications that this court cannot handle,” she said.
Steve Harris, General Secretary of UNTU, says the Union is disappointed in the judgement and will refer it to our legal team for advice and consider the way forward.
“One cannot expect workers to wait indefinitely for their wage increase and the backpay to 1 April 2020. The Judge did not fault UNTU on the merit of its case. But the Unions should be able to turn to the courts for relief when employers fail to implement collective agreements they have entered,” says Harris.
A week after the court hearing Prasa announced that the issue it had with national treasury has been delt with and that the money will be paid out by 22 December 2020.
“The proof will be in the pudding and it is now a situation of wait and see if the money will be paid out. UNTU will keep its members abreast of any developments,” says Harris.
Issued on behalf of UNTU by Sonja Carstens, Media Liaison and Communication Officer. For UNTU press release phone Sonja on 082 463 6806 or e-mail sonja@untu.co.za
