Transnet Bonuses a Disgrace

Labour Report Winter 2013 NEWS FLASH NEWS UTATU SARWHU’s message to TFR Why labour’s pay ‘If you want to emulate First World rail, begin with demands seem salary levels,’ – see: ‘Can one-man trains work in SA?’ on page 3 excessive - Page 9 Affiliated to FEDUSA It is an outrage People need to be protected when doing their jobs. Read the story on page 3 about a UTATU SARWHU member’s ordeal. Gallant UTATU SARHWU Transnet bonuses celebrates its first anniversary a disgrace n 22 June UTATU “Not only have we proved them Both presidents agree that their SARHWU celebrated its wrong, but we have demonstrated that union’s success over the past year is a TATU SARWHU, nomic downturn and the Kumba Ofirst anniversary. black and white workers can achieve tribute to the efforts of the workers Transnet’s largest trade strike - had nothing to do with the The union’s celebration was sweet- better results by working together . of all races and both genders who U union, has declared the company’s workers, George argues. ened by the fact that, contrary to the that there is more to trade unionism have pulled together to create a company’s decision to slash its 2013 “In addition to their bonus shock,” gloomy forecasts of its critics, the than flag-waving, slogans and strikes . union of which they are proud. productivity bonuses by up to two- George continued,“Transnet’s work- union has become by far the largest . that worker unity, professional man- “Everyone in the UTATU SAR- thirds ‘a disgrace.’ ers are offended by the report’s and most accomplished trade union agement, top quality representation WHU team - our dues-paying “It is clear from Transnet’s 2012/13 absence of any credit for their efforts. at Transnet. and negotiating skills are the formula members, office-bearers from Exco results that its employees worked Transnet has only its self to blame for “When we merged the white-root- for trade union success.” to committee and shop steward smarter, harder and more productive- the “why bother?” mind-set now ed United Transport and Allied Workers are recognising these facts levels, and full-time officials - can ly . that without their efforts the taking root in its workshops. Workers’Trade Union (the home of in increasing numbers, say George take pride in the union that they group would not have come close to “Mr Molefe and his management most of the group’s train drivers and and Pholo.“That is why UTATU have created. the impressive results announced yes- team need to learn that there is more artisans) and the black-rooted South SARWHU already represents 32 000 “To ensure further progress in the terday (June 27).Why, then, insult to Transnet than statistics.They need African Railway and Harbour workers.That is why we are on our year ahead, training and recruitment them by reducing their productivity to wake up to the fact that Transnet Workers’ Union (the struggle union way to becoming the biggest trade - the cornerstones of our achieve- bonuses to a token amount?” asks achieved its impressive progress which was the home of workers across union at Transnet. ments – will be intensified,” say UTATU SARWHU president, because its 54 000 employees woke all Transnet activities), our critics said it Furthermore, our union is being George and Pholo.“And members George Strauss. up each morning wanting to give of was a marriage that could not last,”say recognised as one of the finest exam- will be encouraged to continue The principal factors that prevent- their best to their company. the union’s joint presidents, George ples of racial co-operation yet recruiting the non-members around ed Transnet from achieving its earn- “That fact needs to be placed on Strauss and Pholo Pholo. achieved in the country.” them.” I ings goals – the drop in coal exports record.And it needs to be adequately resulting from the international eco- rewarded.” I 2 Labour Report Winter 2013 COMMENT NEWS most matters – with our to focus on them and to produce the The first decade of this century representative union and because our membership. arguments and actions that deliver was better – but not much. arguments are sensible, well-focused UTATU SARWHU has again the desired results. Management still lacked a clear and in the best interests of the established itself as Transnet’s largest Now that our performance vision of the future and was reluctant companies concerned. trade union. excellence has taken us to the top, to play open-cards with labour. Posing the question:‘Do you see a Better still, it is the union with far let’s not relax for a moment. Let each Then came the now era - the time future in the rail industry?’ in and away the most active, informed one of us become a recruiting resulting from the most intelligent workshops these days brings more and capable members – the people activist capable of convincing our workers deciding that the internal positive than negative replies, as does needed to get things done the right colleagues that UTATU SARWHU union squabbles, the flag-waving and the question:‘Would you advise your way. is the place for all sensible workers to the waste of resources so apparent kids to follow in your footsteps?’ Are we getting things done the be. If we can accomplish that, we will elsewhere were a waste of time, effort We are definitely on the right right way? Looking at the excellent pave the way for even greater success and money - that what was needed track. Let’s stay there by making pay deals struck at the bargaining in the future. was true union unity; a plan that UTATU SARWHU ever bigger, table, our record in keeping Let’s pause for a moment to see placed all needs and the pursuit of more focused and efficient. Steve Harris retrenchments at bay, the progress how our efforts have impacted on excellence above sideline causes. made in unblocking Transnet’s stalled our wellbeing. In other words, the need for Congratulations are in order here are many problems within train movement agreement, the Older members will remember the workers of all races, genders and job We are proud of one of our partners, Transnet still needing to be progress being made at Transnet bleak 1990s - that time when sorts to unite to form UTATU Indwe.They won the SA Service T resolved.There always will be Engineering (something which this management barely bothered to SARWHU. Award in the Short Term Insurance in so vast and complex an operation. union has campaigned for over many speak to labour; when racial conflict, Just one year after the formation of category for the second year But a close look at UTATU years) and our success in keeping downsizing, despair and uncertainty that union it is still too early to draw running. SARWHU’s progress at Transnet in inter-city rail travel alive, the answer were the order of the day. definitive conclusions. But the results Big congratulations to one of our recent months shows that your union has to be a resounding YES. In those grim days it was rare to are more than encouraging. presidents, Pholo Pholo. He recently is making huge strides towards All of these achievements begin find a rail worker who believed in UTATU SARWHU is being taken received a Masters degree in resolving them. and end with the solidarity of our the future of SA rail - who was seriously by government and by all Governance and Political Science at In examining the broader picture, members - with their ability to prepared to encourage his or her managements in the transport sector. the University of the Free State. I let’s start at the beginning where it recognise the most important issues, children to join the rail industry Why? Because we are a fully All correspondence must be addressed to the General Secretary at [email protected]. Gautrain bus strike – management to be blamed TATU SARWHU represents Bus users for the disruptions they about 60% of the Mega Bus experienced during the strike,” says U drivers who provide the bus UTATU SARWHU general links with the Gautrain.They went secretary, Steve Harris. on strike earlier this year. “The blame for the strike lies Claiming that they cannot afford squarely at management’s door. Key to support their families on their workers in so important a transport existing R6 000 a month salary, the network as the Gautrain should not bus drivers were demanding an 18% be expected to exist on only R6 000 adjustment to their basic rate of pay. a month – nor should they have to To end the strike pending further strike to achieve a living wage. negotiations through the Bargaining ‘The type of disruption we have Council, UTATU SARWHU has just experienced is likely to be privately negotiated an immediate repeated for as long as the 9% pay adjustment retrospective to management of the Gautrain places 1 April. its profit objectives ahead of the “On behalf of our driver needs of its passengers and of the members, we apologise to all Mega broader economy.” I Pay settlement shifts the focus to other burning issues – GS ndorsing the widespread “Unless they can be amicably have to be positive, straightforward praise for the negotiators resolved, all three issues carry the ones that can be implemented E who achieved Transnet’s seeds of labour unrest,” Steve told without further obfuscation or inflation-beating two-year pay deal, Labour Report. beating about the bush. UTATU SARWHU general “In our most recent discussions, “We believe that they now secretary, Steve Harris, added Transnet has informally understand that the consequences another important plus to the acknowledged that it signed of any further delays which further settlement.“The temporary shift agreements that were too complex disadvantage the employees whom away from salaries that the for it to implement.

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