5 May 2006
The sudden decision by security industry employers to shun the scheduled
talks with South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) under the
auspices of the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) as
agreed earlier is a matter of grave concern, Labour Minister Membathisi
Mdladlana said today (Friday).
Reacting to news where the employers were quoted as saying they were no
longer part of those talks, Minister Mdladlana said their decision was
unfortunate.
âI hope now the South African public understands what made me describe their
attitude as arrogant and intransigent. I also said that the employers seem not
to care about how long the strike persists as long as their profits are not
affected. It is the South African public and the economy that suffer from the
effects of this protracted strike. What I find strange is that these employers
are rejecting the CCMAâs offer to resolve the dispute. How then are they hoping
to resolve the strike other than through mediation and arbitration?â
âThe employersâ decision to challenge the legality of the strike hardly
addresses the dispute and its causes. Even if they were to fire all striking
workers the dispute would remain. I once again call for sanity to prevail and
for employers to swallow their pride and go back to negotiations,â the Minister
said.
Enquiries:
Mokgadi Pela
Cell: 082 808 2168
Website: http://www.labour.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Labour
5 May 2006
