SATAWU+on+so-called+wage+deal+signed+on+April+1+2006

SATAWU press release with regard to the so-called wage deal signed between 16 unions and the employer associations on 1 April 2006 in the private security industry
We are aware that there has been an “orchestrated plot” to marginalize Satawu well before 1st April 2006 negotiations that took place. We are further aware that the affected unions had received a draft agreement from the employers on 24 March 2006 which conclusively demonstrates that there was a pre cooked plan to side line the largest union in the industry.

__Satawu’s position in regard to the so called “wage agreement” is as follows:__


 * 1) We confirm that we are not party to the wage agreement signed on 1 April 2006
 * 2) We are not in anyway legally or otherwise bound to the content of such an agreement
 * 3) We remain in dispute and deadlocked with all the employer associations who are party to the agreement as we had no mandate to accept 8%
 * 4) We will cooperate with TAWU as the only other union who is not a party
 * 5) Demand that the CCMA convene an urgent and separate session between Satawu, Tawu and the employers under its auspices
 * 6) Between 3 – 5 April 2006 we will report back to our members with regard to events of 1 April 2006 and the refusal by City Councils of Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pretoria
 * 7) Demand from the Minister of Labour through the Employment Conditions Commission should not promulgate “so called agreement” until Satawu, Tawu and the employers conclude negotiations under the CCMA

THE IMPLICATIONS OF 16 UNIONS SIGNING
Satawu believes that the 16 affected unions have sold out their members by allowing themselves to be used in a “divide and rule” manner by accepting the offer from employers. Through this act they have demonstrated that they are not seriously committed to improving the conditions of their members and to transform a vulnerable and exploitative industry. It is indeed regrettable that they chosen to prostitute themselves for “little bags of silver” whilst the “gold” (profit ) still resides with rich employers given that this is a struggle which required maximum unity of trade unions and their members in order to effect real change twelve years into our democracy.

These unions’ collectively only represent 16000 members collectively according to Department of Labour verification exercise which clearly indicates they cannot hold any political and organizational over Satawu as they had hoped.

One of the key challenges among others mentioned in previous statements is to achieve the establishment of a Bargaining Council in order to set national norms and standards and extend agreements to non parties. However we are unable to achieve the threshold due to most of these unions not commanding the paid up membership required i.e. some truly represents their jackets. To this end we demand that the Department of Labour review the registration of unions in the security industry as they are undermining their own objectives of reducing unions and establishing industry for a for bargaining and transformation.

Satawu will continue to struggle and campaign for radical improvements of conditions of service in particular wages, compliance with the Sectoral Determination including Provident Fund contributions by employers, for enhancing enforcement capacity within the Department of Labour with its inspectorate, establishment of a national bargaining council and the overall political transformation of this industry through Acts like Employment Equity among others. A further challenge will be the inconsistency in the tender system which results in undercutting of wages including in state owned enterprises.

Satawu has also applied through NEDLAC for a Section 77 application to engage employers, parastatals and government departments with regard to the tender system and the transformation of the industry.

Satawu was interdicted by Clients i.e. ABSA, City Property, Connaught Properties, Johannesburg Housing and Employer Association including SANSEA today. We believe this is part of the plot to stop us from striking further but they will not succeed.

THE PROGRAM OF ACTION – STRIKE ACTION
The national strike continues as it is legal and our members are protected.

A national strike which commenced today, 5th April will continue from 6th – 9th April 2006 as A FIRST WAVE.

From 5th April we will commence a 4 day consecutive national strike in all regions.

Johannesburg – 5th April members will gather at Beyers Naude from 10.00am to be addressed by the ANC Youth League President, General Secretary of Satawu and National Coordinator leadership. Memorandum will be collected by various institutions including the City Council, Sanlam and Safrican with regard to non payment of death claims. Picketing will take place at Fidelity Springbok offices on the 6 April 2006. Gauteng region will join the Pretoria march on the 7 April from Church square to SPIRA’s offices.

Cape Town – march on the 6 April 2006 to the Employers and on the 7 April 2006 to hand over memorandum to the Minister of Labour not to promulgate the current agreement signed by the 14 unions.

Limpopo – march in Polokwane to Safety and Security and Department of Labour on the 5 April 2006. A march will take place in Pretoria on the 7 April 2006 starting from Church square to PSIRA offices.

Kwazulu-Natal – march in Pietermaritzburg on the 5 April 2006. Picketing will take place at Fidelity Springbok offices on the 6 April 2006 in Durban and Pinetown

Eastern Cape – marches in various places; East London, Port Elizabeth, Umtata, King Williams Town, Queenstown, Butterworths and Uitenhage.

North West – gathering in Klerksdorp and Mafikeng

Mpumalanga – gathering Witbank, Nelspruit, Ermelo, Standerton

Northern Cape – march in Kimberley to Spoornet with regard to tendering system

Freestate – gathering in Bloemfontein, Kroonstad, Bethlehem and Welkom

During this period we will be engaging with the employers under the auspices of the CCMA with a view to reach a settlement more favourable to our members.

The National Office Bearers of Satawu and the national Security Sector leadership will then assess the situation and determine A SECOND WAVE of strike action in consultation with regions should it become necessary if a settlement is not be reached by the 9 April 2006.

Satawu calls on all its members to continue the strike action in a disciplined and peaceful manner. Satawu also calls on SAPS and Metro Traffic Police not to provoke members in order to become trigger happy with rubber bullets. Further calls on Metro councils not to deny our constitutional right to strike, including gathering and marching in the major city centers to highlight our the exploitation of our members. We shall vigorously challenge any attempt to undermine our constitutional right to strike as we have in Johannesburg and as we intend to do in Cape Town notwithstanding the obligations of Metropolitan Councils to protect citizens and property which we understand. An appropriate balance must be found rather the obligation to protect undermining our constitutional right to strike.

Statement ends
//Contact Randall Howard – General Secretary @ 082 564 6298, Jackson Simon – National Sector Coordinator @ 0823472529 and the National Chairperson Paul Nephawe @ 083 424 8842//

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