M Mdladlana urges security sector parties to return to negotiating
table

26 April 2006

Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana today, 26 April, called on parties in
the ongoing security industry strike to go back to the negotiating table in
order to resolve the protracted wage strike.

The Minister was reacting to renewed calls by the South African Transport
and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) for him to help end the impasse. Speaking
from Cairo, Egypt, where he is attending the African Union Labour and Social
Affairs commission, Minister Mdladlana said: “I will continue using the law and
all the means available to ensure that this dispute is resolved
peacefully.”

The Labour Relations Act (LRA) deals effectively with dispute resolution.
Section 150 of the LRA allows the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and
Arbitration (CCMA) to offer assistance in instances where the resolution of the
strike is of national interest. “Indeed, I have instructed the CCMA to
facilitate as per the Act,” the Minister said.

He said the CCMA has availed its most senior commissioners to help resolve
the matter. The CCMA is continuing to persuade both parties to take advantage
of these provisions so as to find a speedy resolution to the conflict. This,
according to the Minister, is in line with the “spirit of social dialogue in
resolving disputes.”

Enquiries:
Mokgadi Pela
Cell: 082 808 2168

Issued by: Department of Labour
26 April 2006