Union group warns against toll protest
2012-03-05 14:39
Johannesburg - Union federation Fedusa has advised its members not to take part in a Cosatu-led protest against e-tolling on Wednesday.
"This convolution of issues might render some members unprotected, exposing them to possible disciplinary action," Federation of Unions of SA general secretary Dennis George said in a statement on Monday.
The Congress of SA Trade Unions is planning a countrywide protest on Wednesday against road tolling and labour brokering, and education in the Western Cape.
"While we support the section 77 protest notice on toad tolling, as tabled at Nedlac, we are not involved in the other issues and we have to warn our members of related risks," George said, referring to a section of the Labour Relations Act.
NUM urges members to march
Protection under the act only extends to members of organisations involved in a valid dispute, and Fedusa was not party to all the disputes, he said. If Fedusa members wanted to strike, they should not do so under the federation banner.
"Affiliates who wish to participate in the protest action are recommended to request annual leave for the day involved, and participate in individual union colours," George said.
On the other hand, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) called on its 320 000 members and civil society to join the protest.
"These tolls must be removed and the ban for labour brokers must happen now," NUM general secretary Frans Baleni said in a statement.
"We will not rest on our laurels until those that have to make the decisions make the required decisions," he said.
32 marches planned
Baleni called for more decisive action to eliminate labour brokers.
"The NUM is totally opposed to the privatisation of our roads and to the legalisation of the blood-sucking practice of labour broking and will join the protest action en masse to demand that all these be abolished."
Cosatu had planned 32 marches across South Africa, including in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Bloemfontein.
- SAPA
