Parliament pays bonuses for staff and clarifies most recent managerial suspension and related disciplinary matters
Parliament has paid out bonuses to staff within the bargaining unit. The bonus payment is in terms of the agreement reached with Nehawu earlier this month, after protracted illegal strike activity and lengthy negotiations.
Parliament met with Nehawu at a facilitated meeting by the CCMA yesterday, which provided clarity to all parties on how the bonuses were to be paid.
At the meeting, Parliament reiterated that the payments would be made as provided for in the agreement and according to policy. There had to be accurate moderation to ensure the ratings tallied with institutional performance, that the set budget was adhered to in terms of affordability and that the entire process could successfully stand the test of audit.
Parliament strongly rejects the union assertion that the Manager who was suspended is being victimised for participating in an illegal strike. According to Parliamentary records submitted by the manager, she was at work throughout the strike period and only missed days for sick leave. The suspension had absolutely nothing to do with the illegal strike.
Parliament reiterates that Nehawu embarked on an illegal strike that is not protected. The Nehawu leadership in Parliament misled their members to willingly commit acts of gross misconduct, knowing full well that it is an illegal and unprotected strike and as such, this constitutes an act of gross misconduct on the part of employees who participated therein.
The agreement reached with the union expressly states that the employer reserves the right to discipline any staff who committed acts of misconduct. Actions by the union leaders in parliament placed the union members in a position of vulnerability, exposing them to an unprotected strike and committing illegal acts of disrupting parliamentary proceedings.
The agreement reached does not exclude discipline and it does not extend to normal employer employee relationship management.
The agreement reached with the union was meant to restore order and credibility of the relationship between the union and management.
Parliament remains committed to:
1) The original recognition agreement
2) Allowing the creation of a healthy process of engagement between management and the union
3) Restoring the ability of management to exercise their responsibilities.
Parliament urges the union to refrain from further deliberately misinforming employees and the public, and to stick to the letter of the signed agreement, which sees the beginning of normalising relations and work processes in Parliament that will enable the Members of Parliament to carry out their constitutional obligations of service to the people of South Africa.
