Swallows support the Volksies
Matter of fact
In Numsa News No 3 2008 on page 12 in a story on celebrating Children's Day in Hlanganani region we reported that Madibeng local did not take part. We got our locals mixed up.
Madibeng was definitely a major participant as it has always been. Great North was not there because it was so far away but they had their own celebrationsHumblest apologies to Madibeng local for the mistake!
New offices of the Babelegi Local
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Welder crushed to death as trailer collapses on him
Mziwakhe Hlangani Numsa sends it deepest condolences to the family of Samson Legodi who died instantly when a newly-built trailer collapsed on him in a freak accident at Van Dewetering trailer manufacturing workshop in Pretoria.
Legodi had reportedly just finished welding the trailer when the straps fastening the trailer to the frame above him snapped. It is reportedly the second fatal incident since March this year at the company.
Numsa officials were also surprised after reporting the incident to the labour inspectors, to notice that they arrived four to five hours late and displayed tardiness in assessing the incident.
Meanwhile Numsa plans to picket the Department of Labour (DOL) offices in Pretoria on August 19 to demand that DOL steps up its monitoring of injuries and deaths at work.
Gautrain coach-builder workers down tools
Mziwakhe HlanganiMore than 400 workers at Nigel’s Union Carriage and Wagon plant, which is building train coaches for the Gautrain have embarked on strike action to protest against the refusal by management to grant shop stewards time-off for union activities.
Enraged metalworkers formed picket lines outside the company and brought production of the Gautrain coaches to a virtual halt after management locked out striking workers.
This follows a full blown strike by the majority workforce since last Monday after management rejected demands for recognition of the full-time shop steward and to grant another six shop stewards 15 days time-off a year for union duties in the plant.
Veli TsiloMoroka Swallows, Volkswagen South Africa's title sponsored PSL soccer team, has shown their commitment to the company by dedicating their support to the development of the Volksies, VWSA Roodekop's very own soccer team!
On Monday, Moroka Swallows handed over branded Mitre kit as well as boots and balls to the Volksies, which comprises Roodekop and Midrand staff.
The handover ceremony was conducted in Leondale at the Roodekop Factory and was attended by players and management of Moroka Swallows namely, Greg Etafia, Elton Morelato, Ace Bhengu, Siphesihle Ngobese, Siphamandla Vilakazi, as well as Brand Manager, Siya Sangweni.
"This kit will go a long way in motivating the team and management in the upcoming season and may even allow Swallows to have some new scouting grounds in the future," said Siyanithemba Khaka, Volksies Team Captain.
"As an initiative brought forward by the NUMSA Shop Stewards and with the support and motivation of Sweetnoreen Zwane, this programme will help develop policies and strategies that Volkswagen has for relationship building with its work force," said Stuart Norman, General Manager of Parts and Accessories.
After the formalities,the Volksies fulfilled their dream by holding an informal coaching clinic with the Moroka Swallows' players. The Volkies and all employees at Roodekop wished Moroka Swallows the best of luck for the upcoming top 8 fixtures.
ASSMANG case to go ahead from August 18
The case against Assmang in Cato Ridge near Pietermaritzburg will resume from August 18. Workers claim that they have manganese poisoning from years of working in poor conditions in the factory. This time the hearing will last for two weeks.
Massive steel price rise forces companies to closeSince the beginning of the year, Arcelor Mittal has increased the price of some its types of steel by 100%! And companies are feeling the pinch.
Early this year steel furniture maker Jayfurn approached Numsa saying it had to put workers on short-time and it wanted an exemption from paying the increased wage rates.
Now factories in West Rand have also told Numsa organiser Mzimela that they are under pressure because of rising steel prices.Furniture maker Streamline says it has already retrenched 18 workers and plans to lay off another eight workers.
Cowley Exhausts has put its workers on short time. Samtor Tankers are also retrenching.Last year in September 2007, the Competition Commission slapped a huge fine of R692-million on Arcelor Mittal saying it was guilty of excessive pricing when it sold steel to local users.
Arcelor Mittal will appeal against this decision in October.
Source
Numsa News