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Communism’s trail of blood
By Flip Buys
Minister Blade Nzimande recently exploited the patently false reporting of Beeld newspaper, dealing with Nazism at the Potchefstroom Campus, to start “transforming” this campus. While the minister passed vehement judgment on the abominable ideology of Nazism, he was numb about the bloody past of the communist ideology of which he is the leader in this country.
Read more. Click here.
Vaal Triangle
In June Solidarity negotiated a favourable wage agreement for its members at Riverside Mica in Vanderbijlpark. The agreement, retroactively binding from 1 May 2014, entails that members of Solidarity will receive a salary increase of 7,75%. This agreement was reached in less than a month.
Wage negotiations between Solidarity and Semancor Chrome in Meyerton were recently completed successfully when Solidarity negotiated a 7% wage increase for its 165 members working there. The agreement was reached in June after about five rounds of negotiations and also includes a once-off bonus of R20 000 for its members.
Johan Venter negotiated settlements and severance packages of more than R160 000 on behalf of three members at ArcelorMittal and Introchem respectively. Congratulations!
eMalahleni (Witbank)
Solidarity recently reached two favourable settlements, resulting from unfair dismissal, on behalf of members in the eMalahleni area. This includes:
- a settlement of R570 000 as well as the re-employment of a member at Exxaro’s Arbit coal mine outside Middelburg; and
- a settlement of R45 000 was negotiated on behalf of a member at Nucoal.
Healthy wage agreement reached at Mediclinic
Solidarity recently, after three rounds of negotiations, reached a wage agreement of between 7,1 and 7,5% for its members at Mediclinic Paarl and Mediclinic Emfuleni respectively. This agreement, which was reached early in July, involves the following:
- Nursing staff will receive an average increase of 7,5%.
- Administrative staff will receive an average increase of 7,1%.
- An increase of 9,4% was granted for the purchase of uniforms. The new subsidy is R1 630 in order to also make, which makes provision for the purchase of shoes.
- The employer’s medical aid contribution increased by 9% and has already been implemented.
- A total of 12 days of study leave (18 shifts) will be allocated to employees who study part time so that they can complete assignments or projects and prepare for exams.
- Various forums were founded where members’ grievances and any other matters can be discussed.
Solidarity represents 122 members at Mediclinic Paarl and 116 members at Mediclinic Emfuleni.
Boksburg
Solidarity recently reached a favourable wage agreement on behalf of its members at Mango Airlines. This agreement, which was signed on 15 July 2014, resulted in about 94% of all pilots at this company, who are all members of Solidarity, henceforth receiving remuneration packages that are in line with the rest of the market. This agreement was reached after more than three rounds of negotiations, including mediation by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
Workplace forum at ATNS first of its kind
The management of Air Travel and Navigation Systems (ATNS) recently agreed to a workplace forum for employees at the company being founded. The goal of this forum is to give a voice to employees in the workplace and to create a platform to establish greater transparency regarding work matters and issues.
According to Derek Mans, organiser for the Aviation Industry at Solidarity, this forum is different from normal employee and trade union committees. ‘The goal of the forum is to force the employer to deliberate in consultation with members of the forum, of which Solidarity is one, on policies and practices. Where policies, such as those regarding employment equity, were simply implemented by company management in the past, Solidarity is now allowed to inspect such policies before they are put into operation.’
This forum, which was agreed to in June 2014, will be established nationally at all branches of ATNS. Solidarity represents more than 1 000 employees at this company.
On 10 July 2014 Solidarity reached a wage agreement with employers in the Bargaining Council for the Paper and Pulp Sector. This agreement, which applies to all members of the bargaining unit, includes, among other things, a general total wage increase of 8%. The agreement is binding retroactively from 1 July 2014 until 30 June 2015.
Port Elizabeth
Wynand Strydom, organiser at Solidarity’s service office in Port Elizabeth, recently negotiated a favourable settlement on behalf of a member at Borbet Engineering due to unfair dismissal. The settlement stipulates the member will receive compensation equal to seven months’ salary.
Rustenburg
Wage negotiations between Solidarity and Aquarius Platinum in Rustenburg ended on a high note after the parties reached an agreement on 15 July 2014. The three-year loan increase, which was reached after three rounds of negotiations, includes the following, among other things:
- Year 1: an increase of 9% on members’ basic salaries, housing allowances and safety bonuses
- Year 2: an increase of 8,5% on members’ basic salaries and a 9% increase to members’ housing allowances
- Year 3: an increase of 8,5% on members’ basic salaries, a 9% increase on members’ housing allowances and safety bonuses
Kathu
Adele Rossouw, organiser at Solidarity’s Kathu Service Office, has to date brought about settlements to the value of R7,5 million in 2014 on behalf of members. Congratulations!
Solidarity recently negotiated a favourable wage agreement for its members at KLK Landbou in Upington. This agreement includes an average increase of 6,8% for members.
The increase was implemented on 1 July 2014.
Carletonville
The Carletonville service office has to date brought about settlements to the value of almost R5,5 million in 2014 on behalf of members in the area. Congratulations!
For a tongue-in-cheek look at the economy
Be open about it and then rather re-instate race legislation
By Piet le Roux
Everyone wants to know what our race is – schools and universities; employers; sports teams and now Gugile Nkwinti, Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform. Can race not be re-introduced in ID books without further ado?
Retirement reforms: No reason to resign
Solidarity regularly receives enquiries from people who are unsure about the current process of retirement reform. Many people, for fear of being prevented access to their retirement savings, have made rash decisions like resigning from their jobs needlessly on the basis of unfounded rumours. Because of this Solidarity has compiled an information pamphlet which explains the coming changes.
Members of retirement funds do not have to be worried that they will lose their savings as a result of the current retirement fund reform process. There is no reason to resign now in order to get access to retirement savings. The changes that will take place on 1 March 2015 will not be applied retroactively to existing savings.
The attached information pamphlet of Solidarity Financial Services gives clarity regarding the retirement reform process so far.
Click here for the full pamphlet.
Solidarity Shop Steward of the Year Award:
You can now vote for your favourite!
Have you always wished you could find a way to thank your Solidarity shop steward for all his or her support? Now is your chance! Show your gratitude by participating in Solidarity’s new and exciting competition!
How to participate
Keep track of our Facebook and Twitter pages daily. We will share the photo and particulars of a different shop steward each day. Be on the lookout for your favourite one and visit our website to vote for him or her.
Why the competition?
Solidarity shop stewards play a vital role and form the main link between the union and its members. Without the guidance, support and loyalty of our shop stewards, we will not be able to provide the excellent and comprehensive range of services to our members. Therefore, the competition is a way we as a union on the one hand, and Solidarity members on the other, can thank our shop stewards for all their hard work and support over the years.
What else is at stake?
A lucky draw will also take place, giving everyone participating in the competition the chance to win R500 in cash.
When is the closing date of the competition?
Members and supporters can vote for their favourite shop steward until 15 November.
Read the terms and conditions for the competition. Click here.