Johannesburg – The Road Accident Fund says the National
Union of Metalworkers of SA’s claims over why its members are going on strike
are “unreasonable and without merit”.
In a statement earlier on Thursday, the union said at
least 1 500 of its members were going to down tools because the
beleaguered entity is “in turmoil”.
In addition, the union argued the RAF, which is funded
through a fuel levy, is in debt to the tune of R8.2 billion. “To make matters
worse, for months is has been unable to fulfil its mandate and compensate
accident victims,” the union claims.
Numsa also said it had a wage dispute with the fund.
“The RAF management is blocking NUMSA’s attempt to fight
for a living wage. The lowest paid worker is forced to survive on R5 000 after
deductions, whilst executives like Watson earn over R5 million per annum,” it
alleges.
As such, workers will take to the streets to air their
grievances and hand over a memorandum to the Department of Transport on Friday.
In response, RAF CEO Eugene Watson says its reasons for
Thursday’s strike over salary scales are “are unreasonable and without merit”.
“Numsa’s demands are rooted in their insistence that the
RAF adopt unverified, nebulous proposed salary scales, which the fund cannot
accede to. Numsa, which represents just under 36 percent of the entire staff
complement, is one of two unions operating within the RAF workplace.”
It says there are employees who do not belong to either
union.
Watson adds Numsa’s argument is unsound because the RAF
is insolvent and has severe cash constraints, yet endeavours to maintain an
effective remuneration framework and remains an employer of choice.
He also notes it has increased productivity, while
trimming operational costs, and at the same time committing to remunerating employees
fairly, effectively and in line with policy principles which are aimed at attracting
and retaining employees.
Watson adds the RAF benchmarks salaries yearly and
adjusts remuneration accordingly.
“One must remember the objective of the exercise is to
ensure that remuneration for a particular job level remains on par with the
market and best practice remuneration levels.”
Watson says, after the 2016 salary implementation, some
staff lodged a grievance, which was referred to the Commission for Conciliation,
Mediation and Arbitration, and its arguments were disputed. The RAF, he says,
adjusts salaries yearly to, at least, be in line with inflation.
The dispute could not be resolved at the CCMA and a
certificate on non-resolution was then issued by the CCMA.
Watson adds a “no work, no pay” principle will apply,
while no overtime will be granted to employees who are on strike.
“The RAF will continue to engage NUMSA through the
various mediation processes and no public engagements will be done regarding
the matter until an agreement has been concluded.”
Numsa is set to take to the streets to air their
grievances and hand over a memorandum to the Department of Transport on Friday.
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