CCMA to facilitate Numsa, RAF negotiations
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) says it will participate in negotiations with the Road Accident Fund (RAF), which will be facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
Numsa embarked on a strike on 16 March, saying management is running the fund into the ground.
"Numsa has resolved to intensify the strike during the course of the mediation and has engaged members to implement a total shut down of the RAF, at the East London, Durban and Pretoria branches," says Numsa General Secretary Irvin Jim.
Jim says it cannot be business as usual at the RAF when it is in shambles.
"This organisation perpetuates inequality by refusing to deal decisively with massive income gaps. In addition, working conditions for workers are deteriorating at an alarming rate. The RAF is routinely having its assets attached because of outstanding debt; surely, this cannot be allowed to continue, especially because it has an impact on the RAF's ability to pay out claims," says Jim.
The union maintains that it is concerned about whether claimants at the RAF have had their confidentiality violated as a result of the chaotic state of the organisation.
Numsa has approached the Public Protector to investigate.
"The Public Protector has confirmed that they received our complaint, and they will confirm soon whether they can take it further," says Jim.
Jim says in order for there to be any movement, the parties must be prepared to move from their positions.
"The big question which confronts road accident workers and the public is whether the current leadership of Dr Eugene Watson and his team are prepared to move from their position. As Numsa we will approach these negotiations with an open mind and we will act in the interests of workers and South Africans as a whole," says Jim.
The CCMA will be facilitating mediation at the RAF Menlyn offices in Pretoria on 27 and 28 March 2017.