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Unions hit back at circular suspending performance bonuses

Durban – A circular sent out by the KwaZulu-Natal Premier's office that implied labour unions were consulted in a decision to suspend performance bonuses for workers was untrue, union representatives said.

Six unions, including Cosatu, on Friday told media there had been no consultation with workers or unions on the matter.

The circular, which stated that a meeting was held with organised labour on May 4 said: "The payment of performance bonuses for the 2015/16 performance cycle [will] be suspended with immediate effect pending the finalisation of engagements with organised labour through the office of the premier."  

The suspension ranged for salaries from grade 1 to 16.

According to Cosatu KZN secretary Edwin Mkhize, an information sharing meeting was held with unions on April 29 where union representatives were told about the development.

"The meeting was also very rushed. Some people only knew about it the morning it was called. We are very much annoyed by the impression created that trade unions have been consulted and consented to this move by government.

"We want to categorically state that there has been no proper consultation on this matter. Public sector unions were summoned in a meeting that was referred to as an information sharing meeting."

Mkhize said it was not "in the nature and tradition" of trade unions to consent to any matter being presented for the first time in a meeting. He said the circular was an infringement on the rights of workers.

Cost cutting

"Our approach on such matters is always to prioritise [the] mandate of our members through a process of mandate seeking. On the matter in question, public sector unions and Cosatu were not afforded an opportunity to consult our members and no further meeting was convened to further engage on the matter."

Mkhize added that unions were "vehemently opposed" to anything that infringed on worker benefits and rights.

"It is us as trade unions that fight for these benefits and it cannot be us to support their reversal [sic]".

According to Mkhize, other methods of cost cutting should be explored instead of workers' salaries.

"If costs need to be cut there are many other ways we could do so. Not taking away from the hard workers in the province."  

Premier Senzo Mchunu said he "noted the statement" from Cosatu, saying he would together with Acting Director General Frikkie Brooks, "look into the matter".  

"In hard economic times like the ones we are facing, we must all work together to minimise workplace labour conflicts that impact negatively on productivity. All of us must work together to resolve any disputes.

"We confirm our commitment to working together with organised labour in ensuring that our province moves forward."

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