It is such a pity that when one is envied by all it often turns into jealousy that then results in efforts to discredit such a party and when ignorance prevails only lies and misinformed statements are made.
Where UNTU is the envy of all Unions, we often face such situations but because we are a progressive Union who executes our business assertively because of our knowledge, thoroughness and proficiency we are able to prove the contrary to any attacks levelled against us.
Recently such an attack was again launched in a very unprofessional and rather cowardly manner and true to our credo of honesty and integrity we have responded to so the called “Update Report” below.
UPDATE REPORT
Verification
The parties met on the 15 February 2016. The previous process held on 3 and 4 November 2015 was not completed as NUMSA requested that the Commissioner recuse herself and that they would declare a dispute on the interpretation and application of the verification agreement. When the process started on 15 February 2016 UNTU requested the report of the previous Commissioner and stated that we would have received the reasons for NUMSA requesting her recusal. The Commissioner Mr M Ally on 15 February 2016 confirmed he had no knowledge of the previous process.
It was then proposed that the parties draft a new verification agreement and that all application forms submitted by NUMSA up to 12 February 2016 will be considered. The parties further agreed to allow themselves up to 7 March 2016 to reach an agreement on a new verification process of NUMSA’s application forms. Should the parties not be able to reach consensus then the CCMA would be informed accordingly and the CCMA will then be required to set a new date for the verification to proceed and the Commissioner that dealt with the process on 3 and 4 November 2015 will be obliged to supply her report of the procedure held on 3 & 4 November 2015. Further we would be supplied with the reasons why NUMSA requested the recusal of the Commissioner accordingly.
Membership Verification
The recognition agreement does provide for Transnet to give a recognised party notice should it fall below the threshold in any Operating Division or if the representivity of the recognised Union falls below 30% in the entire Transnet. This is normal practice and the agreement is clear on the matter. We will not delve into the matter relating to SATAWU but must warn members and non-members not to be misled.
Any member that wishes to resign has the right in terms of following due process. We must again remind any non-member of any of the two recognised Unions that you will be obliged to pay amount equal to R80,00 which is automatically deducted and paid over to the Transnet Bargaining Council in terms of the Agency Shop Agreement as provided in LRA.
Why would one want to take such a chance especially with regards to the benefits that UNTU supplies its members ranging from a death benefit, a discretionary fund when a member retires currently the value is R6000, 30% discount at its own holiday resort, payment of R1750-00 for females giving birth to a child for one confinement, offers it’s members children study assistance (bursaries), that has the best qualified representatives and all this for a mere membership fee with a minimum of R40-00 and a maximum
of R70-00.
Agreements 2015
Allegations are made that two unions signed agreements in 2015 without mandates. We wish to assure our members and challenge the one that makes such allegations as UNTU was clearly mandated and we are proud of the wage agreement we signed with a clear mandate that includes a non-retrenchment clause for the full duration of the agreement inclusive of the agreement relating to Fixed Term Contractors.
New Reward Model
We are currently dealing with such and awaiting mandates from our constituencies. We assure you, that the writer, is obviously not in touch of what is transpiring re this matter.
NUMSA Increases on a daily basis
NUMSA currently only have + 3,18% members with in Transnet and be assured this is nowhere near the 30% it requires from 58637 Transnet employees.
If NUMSA was so sure of its numbers why did they stop the process on 3 & 4 November 2015. Let us be bold and state clearly they could only produce 3549 applications of which 1445 applications where duplications, 31 applications could not be found, 151 employee’s services where already terminated.
Would you if you were so sure of your facts and so sure of 10 000 applications not insist
/demand to continue with the verification process? We leave this question up to you the members and the non-members to decide.
What tactics did we try on 15 February 2016 other than which was reported above and agreed by NUMSA ?
Once again why not insist to continue with the process. Why request the Commissioner to recuse herself on 3 and 4 November 2015? Why threaten to declare a dispute if you so confident of your number of applications you have.?
We are called traitor’s by NUMSA however we can with confidence show what we have achieved for our members through tough negotiations. You need to read our Labour report and see for yourself if we do not look after the interest of our members. NUMSA has no understanding or experience within the Rail environment. They have subsequently been dealt a huge blow at the Metal and Engineering Industry Bargaining Council (MEIBC) relating to Agency shop fees. Is this not perhaps why they seeking to obtain membership in Transnet.?
NUMSA is boasting with a track record yet they only represent + 3,18% members. Is this a track record ? Yes, if you win 5 disputes and 5 employees are reinstated and I only have 10 members it would be a 50% success speak with experience speak with authority when we represent 45% of 58637 employees and look at our track record. Do not be fooled by this cheap talk of NUMSA. Request them to show their variation agreements or do yourself a favour and go and search the website of the Metal and Engineering Industry Bargaining Council (MEIBC) and compare your conditions with the ones they as NUMSA have negotiated and signed. Compare fact with facts.
Full Time Union Representatives
This is a very old concept and as existed in Transnet since 1996 through the difficult and successful negotiations of Labour.
Go and speak to any Union and they will tell you this is in the interest of members to enable to ensure that we deliver better service delivery to our members.
They refer to puppets we assure you we have no puppets. Full Time Union Representatives are appointed after careful and thorough debates of the Executive Council in UNTU and they sign clear under takings of what is required from them. The monies reflected by the writer that are paid to FTUR’s is clear that he is unaware of what he is talking about.
Finally, UNTU is proud of its growth and we do not mix politics but only look after members work related matters on a daily basis and be assured we nowhere near of been given any notice as we have a representation of 45% within Transnet.
Members and non-members do not be fooled by people trying to boost and build their own empires.
VIVA UNTU VIVA
UNTU Greetings.
SA Harris
GENERAL SECRETARY
