The Leadership of the United National Transport Union (UNTU) today held a virtual meeting with representatives of Transnet Group to discuss various concerns and questions raised by our members in the various divisions of Transnet during the lockdown to combat the spreading of the COVID-19 pandemic which was declared a national disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 23 March 2020.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE’s)
UNTU received conflicting communication from the various divisions in Transnet which did not collaborate with the agreement the Union made with Transnet Group during our previous meeting on 14 April 2020.
Transnet Engineering communicated to employees that they will not be issued with facial masks when they report back to work. This communication was incorrect. Transnet Group gave UNTU the undertaking that this communication will be withdrawn and corrected.
The agreement was that all Transnet employees will be issued with facial masks to use while performing their duties. Dr Marion Borcherds, Transnet Group Wellness and Transformation Manager, assured the Union that the procurement of the required PPE’s is in its final stage. Labour enquired if management had enough PPE available should the state president lift the lock down for all employees. Management responded that they do not have enough stock if this were to happen. Labour informed management that we will not let our members work without the proper PPE. Management undertook to discuss this matter at the next EXCO meeting which will be tomorrow.
- Use of breathalysers
UNTU received complaints from its members that some of the depots are still not using disposable straws when they are expected to blow into the Breathalyzer. This is not in line with the agreement the Union reached earlier with Transnet Group.
Transnet Group will ensure that all divisions and the various depots are aware that they are always required to use disposable straws when the Breathalyzer is used.
- Impact of closed schools on single parents
UNTU received concerns from single parents whose jobs don’t allow them to work from home, but who does not have anyone to look after their children during the day and won’t be able to report for duty until the schools reopen for the grades of the specific children.
Transnet Group stated that this was a difficult challenge for them, and they did not have answers on how to handle these unique situations. The matter was referred to the Executive Council of Transnet to consider the challenge and to provide feedback.
UNTU will communicate on this issue once feedback is received from Transnet Exco.
Transnet employee’s vs partners/spouses who are healthcare workers
UNTU received concerns from members who have been send home from work by the various nurses at the divisions where they need to report because of the associated risk they might bring to the workplace if the partner or spouse is a healthcare worker.
The local management does not agree with the practise of these nurses as they believe these employees must report for work. Transnet must discuss this with the relevant medical advisors and service providers and provide UNTU with feedback on the way forward.
- Disciplinary hearings of Transnet Employees
UNTU is concerned that some Transnet managers feels compelled to continue with disciplinary hearings during the lockdown period. The Union believes that this is to the detriment of its members as they might not be accurately represented during the hearing due to the restrictions imposed on the movement from our trade union representatives during this time.
UNTU suggested that the hearing can only be conducted once the lockdown has ended to ensure proper representation. The Union is waiting for Transnet Group to clarify their position in this regard.
- Special COVID-19 Danger/Risk allowance
UNTU received numerous requests from members about the possibility of a special COVID-19 danger/risk allowance since their jobs are essential services during the lockdown in terms of the National Disaster Management Act.
The Union confronted Transnet Group with this question before the start of the lockdown. The response was that Transnet will not be able to afford paying an allowance as the state-owned enterprise is paying salaries to those employees who are unable to work in this period.
This question does not only affect essential services within Transnet but affects all employees who are compelled to work during the lockdown.
UNTU requested our affiliated federation, the Federation of Trade Unions of South Africa (Fedusa), to put the issue on the agenda of the Rapid Response Task Team of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) which is chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa. This issue will be debated at the next meeting of the task team tomorrow, 24 April 2020.
UNTU will provide our members with feedback as soon as the Nedlac Rapid Response Task Team has decided.
On behalf of UNTU we assure our members that the Union will continue to take whatever action is needed to protect our members who are essential services and must work in this exceedingly difficult and trying time.
It is thanks to the hard work and commitment of UNTU members that our economy is still functional and that goods, food, diesel, petroleum, and oil still reach all South African’s throughout the country.
We pray that our Creator will keep all our members safe. The Union wishes the three Transnet Freight Rail employees who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus a speedy recovery.
UNTU’s Executive Council, all our full-time trade union representatives and our Secretariat are available 24/7 to assist our members.
The Union will continue to keep its members updated on any developments.
UNTU Greetings.
Steve Harris
General Secretary
