Johannesburg - Trade union Solidarity said on Thursday it would seek a Labour Court injunction to block planned layoffs at Absa Group [JSE:ASA] , which is majority-owned by Britain’s Barclays.
“This follows after Absa indicated in writing last week that it will not consult with Solidarity over the retrenchments,” the union said.
Absa denied that it has a mass retrenchment programme in place.
Deputy group chief executive Louis von Zeuner's response to the Solidarity statement was:
"We have said all we needed to say regarding this matter previously. We continue to focus on programmes that enhance efficiencies and effectiveness by reducing duplication and we have been consistent with this message for the last 12 months. We have no mass retrenchment programme in place - we have given our people the assurance that we will manage these programmes in a responsible manner, aim to minimise the impact on people and with due consultation with relevant stakeholders."
According to Solidarity spokesperson Marius Croucamp, the bank's refusal to consult with the union is a violation of section 189 of the Labour Relations Act.
“This follows after Absa indicated in writing last week that it will not consult with Solidarity over the retrenchments,” the union said.
Absa denied that it has a mass retrenchment programme in place.
Deputy group chief executive Louis von Zeuner's response to the Solidarity statement was:
"We have said all we needed to say regarding this matter previously. We continue to focus on programmes that enhance efficiencies and effectiveness by reducing duplication and we have been consistent with this message for the last 12 months. We have no mass retrenchment programme in place - we have given our people the assurance that we will manage these programmes in a responsible manner, aim to minimise the impact on people and with due consultation with relevant stakeholders."
According to Solidarity spokesperson Marius Croucamp, the bank's refusal to consult with the union is a violation of section 189 of the Labour Relations Act.