As the National Union of Mineworkers, we continue to be inspired by the commitment of the Freedom Charter that, "*There Shall be Work and Security for All."* It is within this context that our members working for Goodhope Construction in Cape Town embarked on strike action for the past four weeks. The reckless and greedy employer has violated the basic provisions of our progressive labour laws founded on the values of the Freedom Charter. These flagrant and incessant violations have also culminated in the intimidation and threats of violence as well as killing of a fellow worker.
The employer has systematically violated our country's labour laws including collective agreements as follows: *1. **None Provision of Protective Equipment* As workers we have to work in ordinary clothing something that is contrary to Occupational Health and Safety. We therefore demand: · The issuing of quality protective clothing as agreed during a previous negotiated agreement last year (two sets of PPE per year. *2. **Endless un-procedural lay-offs!* As workers we are laid off for long periods of time without following the correct procedures including: · Incorrect notice given. · Reason for lay-off inconsistent with the terms of the Agreement. In this regard we demand that workers that were un-procedurally laid-off be remunerated for the period of the lay-off. *3. Workers not being remunerated correctly* Certain workers are registered in "trade and categories" with the Building Industry Bargaining Council (BIBC), but are not being remunerated accordingly by the company. They are being remunerated at a lower rate and therefore not granted commensurate benefits. We therefore demand that; Workers be remunerated according to the correct "trade or category" as prescribed in the BIBC main agreement. *4. **Overtime remuneration * The overtime rates are calculated at normal working hour rates and not according to the approved overtime rates as per clause 9(3) of the Agreement. Workers are also forced to work long overtime hours contrary to the Agreement. We therefore demand an end to this exploitation. *5. **Employment of Gangsters as Security* Good Hope Construction employs gangsters as their site security. These gangsters use firearms and knives to intimidate and threaten workers. *6. **On the Killing of our Member* We deep our banner on the dastardly killing of comrade Melikhaya Pisana by the gang hired by Goodhope Construction in Kraaifontein the past week. Comrade Melikhaya was a dedicated and loyal member of the NUM. We call on the South African Police Services to leave no stone unturned till perpetrators are brought to book and prosecuted. We are resolute that the fall of the workers hero shall have a political meaning to our demands. *7. **Threats to our members* We are concerned with telephonic threats to our shop-stewards and we therefore call on the law enforcement agencies to investigate the threats to kill our shop-stewards and their families. However, these threats are not going to deter us from fight against the greedy capitalist. *8. **Our Line of march going forward* Our key programme for the week ahead shall include but not limited to; · Marching to employers offices in Parow on Wednesday, 20th May 2015 and handover our memorandum · The same Wednesday also march to the BIBC and also handover our memorandum · Marching to the Provincial legislature on Thursday, 21st May 2015 to handover our memorandum to the Premier Helen Zille for her silence on the none-compliance and use of gangsters by this greed and corrupt Construction company *For More Information Contact:* *Benson Ngqentsu-Regional Organisor* *0827966400* *Sebenzile Walu-walu- Shop-steward* *0607112298* Benson ka-Ngqentsu SACP District Secretary Brian Bunting (Cape Metro) 32 Kruskal Avenue Coronation Arcade Bellville Tel: 021 9486 455 Fax: 021 9452 770 Mobile:0827966400 -- -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] . --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "YCLSA Discussion Forum" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
