Latest news with #CCMA
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Hazyview Twin College teachers claim unfair dismissal by school's owner
Six educators at Twin College claim they were unfairly dismissed by the owner of the school on May 22. They also claim that the way they were allegedly dismissed was inappropriate, as it reportedly happened in front of the learners. 'The owner came to the school and asked if he could see all the books of the learners, as he wanted to check their performance. After that, he told us that we should leave the school premises; we are fired. If we did not leave, we would be trespassing on his school. We then left, but the worst part is that we left the kids unattended. The kids are still in Grade One and they cannot be left unattended,' they said. ALSO READ: Fake, expired and unsafe food products confiscated in Hazyview The distressed teachers also claimed they were not given any warning. According to the Labour Act, they were supposed to receive a verbal warning and three warning letters before they could be dismissed. 'All those protocols were not followed and our rights were violated. That is why we took the matter to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on Friday. The owner then called some of the educators to return to work. Some of us refused to go back because the way he fired us was unlawful and we want the CCMA to deal with him. How will the learners respect us after what they saw him do to us?' they said. The owner of the school, Lwazi Mhaule, dismissed the allegations. He said he instructed the teachers to go home and do introspection if they still want to be part of the school. ALSO READ: Deputy minister of basic education engages in dialogue with faith leaders 'I did ask the pupils to bring their books to check their progress, only to find that the learners have had only two classwork assignments since January. That was a clear indication that the teachers are being paid full salary while they are not doing their jobs. It's also a lie that this occurred in front of the learners, because I was talking to the teachers in the staff room. On Friday I told the principal to call the teachers to report for duty, but none of them returned,' he said. Mhaule also dismissed the claim that the learners had been left unattended. He said after the six teachers left the school, he called other teachers from his sister school to come and assist. 'Teaching and learning were not disrupted. We had teachers who were assisting in teaching. I can also confirm that the door is still open for the teachers to come back, provided they are willing to teach,' he said. Mhaule said he is aware that he had been reported to CCMA. He said will cross that bridge when he gets to it. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Matshepo More, PIC return to CCMA after unfair dismissal ruling
Former Public Investment Corporation chief financial officer Matshepo More is returning to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), where her erstwhile employer is challenging a CCMA ruling in her favour. Image: Screenshot Former Public Investment Corporation (PIC) chief financial officer Matshepo More is heading back to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), which previously ordered her reinstatement and awarded her over R6.7 million in compensation. In September 2022, CCMA commissioners Cameron Morajane and Nthabiseng Thokoane declared her dismissal substantively and procedurally unfair, and she was reinstated. The PIC was ordered to pay the costs, and in a supplementary award, the commissioners quantified her backpay and costs due at more than R6.74m and R39 000, respectively. More was fired by the PIC in October 2021 after being found guilty of misconduct. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ She was charged after approving R350m revolving credit facility to the now defunct VBS Mutual Bank in 2014, which was outside her delegation of authority. The PIC accused More of recommending the then chief executive, Dr Dan Matjila, to enter into the revolving credit facility agreement in breach of her duty to ensure that the terms of the agreement complied with the fund investment panels' approval before providing the confirmation and recommending that it be signed. More then referred her unfair dismissal dispute to the CCMA, where she argued that the alleged misconduct constituted a breach of contract. The CCMA found that the claim (charging and dismissal) that the PIC has against More is extinct through the running of uninterrupted prescription. The commissioners deemed the charges and subsequent dismissal incompetent. In addition, the commissioners stated that as the instruction was in contravention of the delegation of authority, More's dismissal was therefore premised on an unlawful and unreasonable instruction and the charges and the subsequent dismissal were unfair. 'More has succeeded in her claim for prescription. The outcome is that the dismissal is substantively and procedurally unfair. The instruction issued by Dr Matjila as found above was unreasonable and unlawful,' the CCMA ruled. The PIC then approached the Labour Court in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, arguing that the commissioners committed a material error of law. Last month, Labour Court Judge Connie Prinsloo reviewed and set aside the CCMA's arbitration award and the supplementary award. 'The matter is remitted to the CCMA for arbitration de novo by a senior commissioner or commissioners, as the case may be, other than the third and fourth respondents (Morajane and Thokoane),' reads Judge Prinsloo's judgment, adding that the record of proceedings generated the supplementary case shall serve as the evidence before the appointed commissioner or commissioners. The arbitration de novo (afresh) is to be conducted on such terms and in such manner as the appointed commissioner or commissioners may determine, and the CCMA was directed to enrol the matter for arbitration. Attempts to contact More were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
IOL News
7 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
UNTU prepares for possible strike as Transnet wage negotiations reach deadlock
Transnet's workers unions United National Transport Union (UNTU) confirmed on Friday that the three-day S150 Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) process on Transnet salary/wage 2025/26 impasse remains in deadlock after three days. Image: Leon Lestrade/ Independent Newspapers Transnet's ongoing wage negotiations have reached an impasse, confirming fears of looming industrial action by workers as the United National Transport Union (UNTU) made a clear statement on Friday. After three days of mediation by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) through the section 150 of the Labour Relations Act, UNTU reported that no progress had been made, compelling them to consider striking if their demands remained unmet. On Thursday, UNTU completed a ballot process with its members that disclosed a consensus to mobilise for industrial action should the wage negotiations fail. The union said the CCMA has committed to present a revised salary/wage offer by close of business on Monday. 'If no revised offer is forthcoming, UNTU will issue Transnet with a 48-hour notice of industrial action,' it said in a statement. UNTU general secretary, Cobus van Vuuren, said the majority of ballots cast by the majority union's members was in favour of taking to the streets to demand a wage increment that reflected the deepening economic crisis facing Transnet employees and job security. Van Vuuren said the three-day S150 CCMA intervention facilitated by two senior commissioners failed to break the Transnet salary/wage 2025/26 impasse; therefore, the status quo remained in terms of this deadlock. 'The proceedings spanning over three days concluded on Thursday, without the parties reaching consensus on a revised salary/wage increase offer. UNTU participated in the S150 process in good faith, fully committed to securing a fair and sustainable outcome amid the rising cost of living and the ongoing operational and structural challenges facing Transnet,' he said. UNTU is demanding a 10% wage increase for 2025/26, a R2 500 housing allowance, R2 500 medical aid allowance, and the removal of a cap on overtime from Transnet. The union has also rejected a proposed wage increase of 6% over two years and 5.5% in the third year. Van Vuuren said that throughout the process, UNTU tabled a variety of salary/wage proposals for Transnet's consideration. 'We are confident we are in line with the economic and financial pressures facing our members, with a high emphasis on job security while at the same time paying due cognisance to the challenges Transnet faces. The proposals, which UNTU presented, cannot be disclosed at this time due to the confidential nature of the S150 process,' he said. 'We had hoped that Transnet and its mandate-givers would seriously consider these proposals, particularly given the potential economic impact of industrial action and the value of securing a longer-term agreement securing labour peace during this critical time in Transnet's turnaround into a sustainable self-funded entity.' Van Vuuren said that the resolution of the deadlock now rested with the CCMA, which he said has committed to present a revised salary/wage offer by close of business on Monday. 'Should no revised offer be forthcoming, UNTU will issue Transnet with a 48-hour notice of industrial action. This could potentially result in industrial action commencing on Thursday, 22 May 2025, in line with the overwhelming mandate secured from its members,' he said. 'UNTU has made the necessary logistical preparations to ensure our readiness for industrial action. If a revised offer is received, UNTU will initiate a structured mandating process to determine if our members accept or reject the tabled revised salary/wage offer.' The Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) has backed UNTU as its affiliate in the wage negotiations with Transnet. 'Should the intervention by the CCMA fail and UNTU members find themselves compelled to embark on industrial action to secure fair wages, Fedusa will support them,' said the federation.
IOL News
21-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
CCMA proposes settlement to resolve UNTU and Transnet wage impasse
The United National Transport Union (UNTU) confirmed on Wednesday that Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) Senior Commissioners facilitating the Section 150 process between the union and Transnet have tabled a formal Facilitators' Proposal for Settlement to help resolve the ongoing salary/wage impasse between UNTU and Transnet. 'On Tuesday, 20 May 2025, the CCMA convened another facilitation session at the Transnet Bargaining Council and invited all the affected parties, including UNTU, Transnet, and SATAWU. The CCMA engaged parties separately, a decision we commend, as UNTU and Transnet remain the sole parties to the declared Dispute of Mutual Interest,' added Van Vuuren. UNTU General Secretary, Cobus van Vuuren said that after a lengthy and challenging round of wage negotiations for the 2025/26 period, UNTU confirms that the CCMA Senior Commissioners facilitating the Section 150 process have tabled a formal Facilitators' Proposal for Settlement to help resolve the salary/wage impasse between UNTU and Transnet. The United National Transport Union (UNTU) confirmed on Wednesday that Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) Senior Commissioners facilitating the Section 150 process between the union and Transnet have tabled a formal Facilitators' Proposal for Settlement to help resolve the ongoing salary/wage impasse between UNTU and Transnet. Transnet also confirmed that discussions are still ongoing. Van Vuuren said that the Commissioners' Proposal represents a final effort to avert protected industrial action by UNTU. 'The proposal has been shared with all parties for consideration. UNTU's Executive Council has met to determine the next steps, and a formal mandating process in terms of the Facilitators' Proposal for Settlement is now underway. Members will decide whether to accept or reject the proposal. Should it be rejected, UNTU reserves the right to initiate protected industrial action in line with the Labour Relations Act (LRA).' Van Vuuren said the proposal must also be considered by Transnet, and all parties are expected to respond to the CCMA by June 10, 2025. 'This development reflects the resilience and commitment of UNTU's negotiating defending members' rights to fair wage increases and job security, especially amid growing private sector interest in Transnet, one of South Africa's most important strategic assets.' Van Vuuren said that history will judge those who stood idle while UNTU pursued every legal avenue available to protect workers' job security amid the economic crisis facing the working class of South Africa. In response to a query, Transnet said they continue to participate in the conciliation process led by the CCMA to resolve the current wage dispute. 'The parties met on Tuesday, 20 May 2025 to continue with the discussions to resolve the dispute and will reconvene by 10 June 2025..' Visit:
The Citizen
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Are threats against Transnet over? CCMA sends revised offer to halt strike
The warning raises the question of whether Transnet can afford salary increases for more than 46,000 employees There might be light at the end of the tunnel in the wage negotiations deadlock between Transnet and the United National Transport Union (Untu), as a revised offer has been put on the table. The Union representing the majority of Transnet workers has stated multiple times that it would not mind bringing the already-struggling entity to its knees if its members do not receive the salary increase they deserve. Untu had promised that its members would down tools on Thursday if the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) had not sent a revised salary offer. CCMA delivered the revised offer on Tuesday, instead of Monday, as the union had requested. ALSO READ: Transnet faces standstill on Thursday as Untu demands revised offer Offer delivered by Transnet The cost of living is high for the middle and lower classes of South Africa, and salary increases are justifiable. However, some companies, such as Transnet, are already struggling to maintain operations. Are salary increases that match the cost of living possible? Transnet offered a salary increase of 6% this year, 6% in 2026, and 5.5% in 2027. Untu is demanding a 10% wage increase, as well as housing and medical subsidies. The union representing the minority of Transnet workers, the South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu) accepted the offer by the cash-strapped entity. The entity previously stated that the increase is effective as of 1 April 2025, and since Untu did not accept the offer, its members were not eligible for the increase. Offer put on the table by CCMA The revised offer made by CCMA, following the facilitation of the S150 process between the entity and Untu, is for the next three years. 'The proposed agreement will apply to all bargaining unit employees as defined in the Transnet Bargaining Constitution,' said Untu spokesperson, Atenkosi Plaatjie. The offer is a three-year agreement that will commence on 1 April 2025, and will end on 31 March 2028. Each year, all Transnet employees will receive a 6% increase. Plaajie said it is now up to Untu members to either accept or reject the offer made by the CCMA. If the majority of the members accept the offer, the leaders will sign the agreement, which will be binding for all employees. ALSO READ: S&P places Transnet on 'credit watch' What about the strike? She added that, should the majority of the members reject the offer, the leaders will issue a strike notice to Transnet, as previously mandated by their members through a balloting process. 'Employees in the Bargaining Unit who had not received the wage adjustment on 1 April 2025, will receive such adjustment from the June 2025 pay-month, backdated to 1 April 2025. 'The modus of calculation and payment period must be determined by agreement between the parties, similar to the previous wage agreement.' Transnet also committed to no mandatory retrenchments over the three years outlined in the tabled proposal. 'The Parties must revert to the Commissioners by 10 June 2025,' added Plaajie. Will government bailout Transnet? Moody's Ratings has warned that the state-owned logistics company, Transnet, could run out of money in the next three warning raises the question of whether Transnet can afford salary increases for more than 46,000 employees Moody's provides data, intelligence, and analytical tools to help business and financial leaders make informed decisions. The warning that Transnet could run out of money within the next three months could intensify pressure on the government to initiate a financial rescue. The ratings agency believes Transnet needs further government support to refinance upcoming debt maturities and secure funds for its expanded capital expenditure programme. NOW READ: SA's poor service delivery linked to almost R500 billion spent on SOE bailouts
