TRANSNET WAGE NEGOTIATIONS: 2022/2023 – MISINFORMATION INDUSTRIAL / STRIKE ACTION
Our previous circular letter REF: CL.WAGE.NEG.T.010.13, dated 11-09-2022 refers.
There is incorrect information being distributed again by some malicious parties / persons. This misinformation that is being communicated / distributed alleges that industrial / strike action is embarked upon as from tomorrow 27/09/2022.
THIS IS NOT TRUE AND IS MISINFORMATION THAT IS BEING UTILISED TO UNDERMINE THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES WITHIN THE UNION AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS ACT. MEMBERS ARE AGAIN REQUESTED TO IGNORE MISINFORMATION SUCH AS THIS AND ONLY ACCEPT OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION THAT IS ISSUED BY A DULY AUTHORIZED UNTU REPRESENTATIVE!
The process with regards to the potential industrial action, potential subsequent picketing and strike action has not been finalized, and members are reminded of the risk if they participate in such actions while the process that must be followed has not been completed.
Currently, the progress on the industrial action process is as follows:
- A Strike Task Team has been established by the Executive Council who has been, and is still busy with, the full national strike plan. This plan will be communicated once it has been finalized.
- UNTU’S MEMBER’S HAVE SPOKEN AND THE MANDATE IS CLEAR, MORE THAN 89% OF THE MANDATES RECEIVED FROM THE BRANCHES IS REJECTING TRANSNET’S OFFER OF 1.5% AND MORE THAN 83% OF THE BALLOT RESULTS RECEIVED FROM THE BRANCHES IS IN FAVOUR OF INDUSTRIAL / STRIKE ACTION.
- WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO OUR SISTER UNION SATAWU TO INVITE THEM TO JOIN FORCES WITH UNTU TO SHOW TRANSNET THAT THEIR EMPLOYEES ARE READY TO UNITE IN THE STRUGGLE FOR DECENT WAGES.
- The Transnet Bargaining Council has been instructed to obtain the services of a CCMA Commissioner to facilitate the picketing rules that must be complied with during the industrial action, we are waiting for confirmation of the date for the picketing rule engagement between Transnet and Labour from the Bargaining Council.
The Labour Relations Act (LRA) requires that when a certificate of non-resolution on matters of mutual interest has been issued the parties must exercise their right to strike or lockout WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME, THERE IS NO OTHER TIME LIMITATION, as long as the timeframe is reasonable.
Our legal advisor has indicated that we are well within the “reasonable timeframe” as prescribed by the Labour Relations Act (LRA) and will remain in a reasonable time frame as long as all of the above is still in the process of being finalized.
Members are requested to not act on misinformation and to not participate in unprotected industrial action as this may pose a risk to themselves.
The UNTU Leadership will advise the membership of the full strike plan and the timing of such once the full national strike plan and the timeframes has been finalized.
Esteemed greetings,
C Van Vuuren
GENERAL SECRETARY: UNTU
