The United National Transport Union (UNTU) has approached the Labour Court in Johannesburg for an expedited date, to rule on the dispute the Trade Union declared against the passenger rail operator, for the non-compliance of a settlement agreement that was reached in the Prasa Bargaining Forum.
This comes after a Senior Commissioner of the CCMA ruled on a technicality issue that he did not have the jurisdiction to grant an award in UNTU’s favour.
Steve Harris, General Secretary of UNTU, says although the Labour Court application is viewed by members as another delay, the Union has no other option but to go to court. UNTU is the only Union that was prepared to file the court application and who has the finances to represent the interests of its members.
“We know our members are frustrated. According to the settlement agreement signed by UNTU and PRASA in April last year, all these issues should have been complied with by September last year,” says Harris.
Some of the issues in dispute are; the 45-hour weekly averaging, sick leave, transport for nightshift employees, uniforms and discrepancies in the payment of overtime, salaries disparity and alignment, the acting policy, medical aid brokers and performance management systems for junior officials.
“UNTU realizes that our members suffer severe financial prejudice with every passing day. The Union will continue to use all resources within its power to enforce the settlement agreement that PRASA’s management signed in bad faith,” says Harris.
UNTU is awaiting a date for the matter to be heard.
Issued on behalf of UNTU by Sonja Carstens, Media and Liaison Officer.
