Today's Labour News
This news aggregator site highlights South African labour news from a wide range of internet and print sources. Each posting has a synopsis of the source article, together with a link or reference to the original. Postings cover the range of labour related matters from industrial relations to generalist human resources.
Jury out on whether Amcu has appetite for new war of attrition in platinum sector
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Liesl Peyper writes that it remains to be seen whether this year’s wage negotiations at Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), Impala Platinum (Implats) and Lonmin are going to be as drawn-out as in 2014.
At Sibanye’s Cooke 4 Operations some 2,500 jobs are on the line
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Business Report writes that Sibanye’s move on Monday to begin talks with unions on the future of its loss-making Cooke 4 Operations puts about 2,500 jobs on the line if the gold producer decides to close operations.
Government committed to speeding up state pension pay-outs
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The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) says it remains committed to making sure that employees who are leaving the public service are paid out on time. It was responding to a critical report by the Public Service Commission (PSC) on pension pay-outs.
Claassen inquiry’s verdict on Phiyega's fate due next month
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TimesLive reports that suspended national police commissioner Riah Phiyega will finally know her fate when the Claassen Board of Inquiry, which is investigating her fitness to hold office, releases its findings by the end of next month.
Strike at Icasa stretches into second week
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ITWeb reported on Monday that the strike at the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) was in its second week, as employees continued to protest for their demands to be met.
Web links to selected labour news reports posted on 11 July 2016
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Our links page provides references to South African labour news reports we have come across on the Internet on Monday, 11 July 2016
Johannesburg Metrobus strike set to continue on Tuesday
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eNCA reports that that the city-wide Metrobus strike in Johannesburg is expected to continue on Tuesday and authorities say all bus services will be cancelled.
Cosatu to protest on Tuesday against poor rail and bus services in Cape Town
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Business Report writes that labour federation Cosatu will embark on mass protest action against rail and bus services in Cape Town on Tuesday.
Driver's murder triggers train strike in Western Cape on Monday
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Cape Times reports that train drivers in the Western Cape downed tools on Monday after one of their colleagues was gunned down at Netreg train station.
NUM to oppose Sibanye layoffs at Cooke 4 Operations
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Reuters reports that, with Sibanye Gold having initiated talks with unions about cutting jobs at its loss-making Cooke 4 Operations, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has vowed to fight any reductions.
Joburg Metrobus strike to intensify if move to outsource ticket inspectors not reversed
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TMG Digital reports that Johannesburg Metrobus drivers have vowed to intensify their unprotected strike if the decision to outsource bus inspectors is not reversed.
SABC ordered to back down over ban on showing violent protests
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BDLive reports that the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) has ordered the SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to withdraw its decision to ban footage of violent protests where public property is being destroyed.
Roundup of labour news on Monday, 11 July 2016
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In our Monday roundup, see summaries
of our selection of South African labour-
related stories that have appeared since
midday on Friday, 8 July 2016.
Metrobus management meets with union leaders about wildcat strike
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EWN reported on Monday afternoon that Johannesburg’s Metrobus management was meeting with union leaders to try and resolve issues around a strike by some of its bus drivers.
Over 50 dead illegal miners brought to surface at Welkom mines in past four months
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Netwerk24 reports that the bodies of more than 50 illegal miners have been brought to surface over the past four months at mine shafts around Welkom.
Hobbled by 2014 strike, SA platinum producers brace for wage talks
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Reuters reports that the world’s top three platinum producers face tough wage talks this week with the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) demanding pay rises of more than 50% , while the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is seeking 20%.
Eight SABC journalists who spoke up against Hlaudi receive award for courage
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TMG Digital reports that eight SABC journalists who are facing disciplinary action for speaking up against the public broadcaster’s controversial chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng have been awarded the Nat Nakasa award for their courage.
Nine more bodies of illegal miners found in Welkom mine
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News24 reports that the decomposing bodies of nine illegal miners were found underground in the Bambanani West mine shaft in Welkom, bringing the number of bodies recovered to 12.
‘Eskom execs shouldn’t be paid bonuses for keeping lights on – it’s their job’
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TMG Digital reports that Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane says Eskom’s executives shouldn’t be paid bonuses for keeping the lights on – it’s their job do so‚ for which they’re already getting big salaries.
Student protest over outstanding issues, including insourcing, shuts down NMMU university
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TMG Digital reports that Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) has been shut down by the South African Students’ Congress (Sasco)‚ which embarked on a mass protest on Monday morning.
Sibanye begins consultations over retrenchments at Cooke 4 Operation
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BDLive reports that Sibanye Gold announced on Monday that it has started a process that may lead to retrenching staff and closing its unprofitable Cooke 4 underground mine and Ezulwini Gold and Uranium processing plant (the Cooke 4 Operation).
Cape Town Uber driver in a stable condition after attack by clients
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EWN reports that an Uber driver is recovering in hospital after he was attacked, allegedly by a group of clients at the weekend in Cape Town.
SABC mum on Solidarity’s report that disciplinary hearings indefinitely postponed
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News24 reports that the SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) on Sunday refused to confirm the veracity of a report by union Solidarity that the disciplinary hearings of suspended news journalists had been suspended.
Joburg EMS paramedics robbed at gunpoint in Jeppestown
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EWN reports that Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) confirmed that six of its paramedics were robbed at gunpoint while attending to a stabbing in Jeppestown on Sunday.
Exodus of senior staff from Parliament over bad management
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TimesLive writes that conflict over bad management in Parliament has seen a mass exodus of senior staff, who have resigned due to their deteriorating relationship with the head of the institution, Gengezi Mgidlana.
Free State education department ordered to reinstate principal caught up in racial row
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Netwerk24 reports that the Free State Department of Education received a tongue lashing from an Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) commissioner, who ordered the reinstatement of Fanie Roeloffze, the dismissed principal of Laerskool Wilgehof in Bloemfontein.
Dispute between transport union Untu and Bombela could halt the Gautrain
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The Star reports that employees affiliated to the United National Transport Union (Untu) could embark on a strike from Tuesday if their employer, Bombela, fails to heed their pay demands. Bombela operates the Gautrain service.
Plight of Lily miners back in focus with Cosatu march to DMR this week
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Business Report writes that labour federation Cosatu has announced plans to march to the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) this week over the plight of workers at Lily Mine in Mpumalanga.
As SABC postpones disciplinary hearings, Solidarity heads to court
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ANA reports that trade union Solidarity is to go to court to revoke the suspensions of three senior SABC journalists and to test the constitutionality of SABC chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s censorship instruction.
Slash state wage bill or damage growth and hurt the poor, IMF warns
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BDLive reports that the IMF has warned that the "bloated government wage bill" will have to be slashed, failing which SA will be forced to institute across-the-board budget cuts that would damage growth and hurt the poor.