NUMSA workers embark on legal strike
By Cindy Witten
15 August 2008
More than 400 workers at Nigel’s Union Carriage and Wagon Partnerships plant- the company hired to build train coaches for the Gautrain 2010 project, have decided to go on strike to protest against the refusal by management to allow shop stewards time- off for union activities.
Angry metalworkers formed picket lines outside the company after management locked out striking workers. This has temporarily caused the production of Gautrain coaches to stop.
“The strike will definitely have an impact in ensuring that the historic train - the Gautrain, which was planned to be launched soon, will now be delayed,” said Mziwakhe Hlangani, national spokesperson for the National Union of Metal workers of South Africa.
A full blown strike by the majority workforce since started on Monday. This after management rejected demands for recognition of the full-time shop steward and grant other six shop stewards 15 days leave per year, to conduct union duties in the plant. Management refused to recognize that shop stewards have union meetings and other responsibilities to attend to. Mediation talks will continue until an agreement has been reached.
15 August 2008
More than 400 workers at Nigel’s Union Carriage and Wagon Partnerships plant- the company hired to build train coaches for the Gautrain 2010 project, have decided to go on strike to protest against the refusal by management to allow shop stewards time- off for union activities.
Angry metalworkers formed picket lines outside the company after management locked out striking workers. This has temporarily caused the production of Gautrain coaches to stop.
“The strike will definitely have an impact in ensuring that the historic train - the Gautrain, which was planned to be launched soon, will now be delayed,” said Mziwakhe Hlangani, national spokesperson for the National Union of Metal workers of South Africa.
A full blown strike by the majority workforce since started on Monday. This after management rejected demands for recognition of the full-time shop steward and grant other six shop stewards 15 days leave per year, to conduct union duties in the plant. Management refused to recognize that shop stewards have union meetings and other responsibilities to attend to. Mediation talks will continue until an agreement has been reached.
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