Dear JudyI write this letter to seek help and advice as a new shop steward.First of all I would like to know the term of a local organiser to lead the workers in the area that we are working in.Secondly, I'm concerned about Numsa in Madibeng, Brits.

It seems like our leaders are those who serve the interests of themselves and promote their personal needs instead of leading with their heart and souls following the principles of the Congress.One other issue is how to deal with the company that pays workers within the same grade, doing the same job, a different rate.

Things like this are crippling our union. Unity is what we need.E N MasenamelaSouthern African Division, ISE

Dear comrade MasenamelaWe hear your concerns but what is it that you are doing about them? Numsa is a worker-controlled union.

This means that you as shop stewards can change the way things are.Do you attend the local shop steward council? Do you hold factory general meetings in your factory often? Do you take up workers' grievances with management like the grading problem you mention?

Do you report back to your local and get advice from them on how to deal with grievances like the grading problem? Have you done the Numsa “Case handling” course? This course goes through how to take up grievances, how to represent workers in disciplinary enquiries.

Your grading problem: If people are doing the same job, they should be paid the same rate. You don't mention if your company falls under a Bargaining Council. If it does then you can call a Bargaining Council agent to come to your factory and investigate. Ask your local organiser for advice.

On your other questions:The local organiser is employed by Numsa and his/her employment is terminated on death, retirement, ill-health or if the person is not performing in his/her job, s/he can be fired.

If you have problems with your local organiser, report them to your local shop steward council giving clear details of why you think the organiser is failing you.

The organiser cannot assist you unless he knows clearly what issues are making you unhappy. If he still fails to assist you then you must report his failures to the local office bearers. If you have problems with the worker leadership, take these up with your local.

Dear Judy

My name is Zimasile Mkoko of Manyathi Local. I'm also counted in the unemployment ratio. I have a Home Loan with FNB. On January 3 I was informed by the FNB homeloan that the month of September 2008 wasn't paid.

I informed my so-called HR manager and he gave me some papers with signatures I don't know. "This shows that I have paid and if your FNB HOMELOAN said they didn't get the money, do what pleases you!"I had to get a statement from FNB which showed the month of September wasn't paid either.

I went to the Police station in Elsburg to explain the situation and it was said to be FRAUD.I got suspended on February 6. The HR manager charged me with causing disharmony, gross insolence and dishonesty.

The organiser wrote a quick letter to the MD and this so-called HR manager urging them to drop all the charges against me and wait for the investigation from the Police.

They didn't heed the call! I'm being dismissed or fired for inquiring! And the investigating officer didn't start to investigate the case and now I'm without a job because of these companies that violate every rule in the Labour Relations Act. Like the company I'm working known as Sentinel Steel Service Centre.

Two years ago we, as members of NUMSA, invited inspectors because the company doesn't comply with the Employment Equity Act. Inspectors came but they are nowhere to be found. We say some members in Government are not doing their job or are corrupt.

We as poor employees cannot buy any government official. If it was me I could have been arrested for fraud and be reminded that fraud in SA is a big thing the same day.

What will happen to my house? My daughter's home? We have to stand firm and fight this RACISM that doesn't want to move. On 17th February 2009 the very same company and the same HR manager were in the CCMA for another unfair dismissal of another NUMSA member. The company has a reputation of harbouring racists. I'm begging law enforcement.

Dear Zimasile Mkoko First of all let me congratulate you on your bravery. Even the South African Constitution Section 23:1 encourages every citizen to display their rights.

Not everyone has the guts to disclose the employer’s impropriety. It’s obvious your challenge made your employers feel the pinch, and so be it.

According to the investigation with the bank, It was not your fault that the payment in September was not processed, but the employers’ because they didn’t put through your payment in time; and how on earth they twisted the matter and dismissed you was their fear to confront the situation which is in their disfavour.

You’ve done the right thing by referring the dispute on time.a) From what you have told us you seem to be the victim of an Automatically Unfair Dismissal in terms of section 187 (1)(h) of the LRA.b) Your employers’ actions seem to amount to an Unfair Labour Practice in terms of section 186 (2) of the LRA;c) The Protected Disclosures Act 26 of 2000 (PDA) offers protection to employees who blow the whistle on corrupt activities or criminal offences in a number of ways.

I wish you good luck in your conciliation. If it’s unresolved, I advise you to go further and attempt the Labour Court.Make sure you elect brave shop stewards who won’t get cold feet while confronting their self-centred bosses but who will make a firm stand including making necessary follow-ups. Good luck!

Dear Judy

This is a concern about the medical scheme. Previously we had a benefit on the medical scheme. This was because this scheme was formed to help the low income workers.

I am now disappointed because it seems as if the scheme is no longer meeting the needs of the workers. We see the new laws introduced in the scheme without workers' consultation.

This brings to mind that there are some people benefiting from this scheme not the workers.I am saying this because previously we did not have problems that we are all facing when we have consulted doctors.

Here are some of the problems we are facing:• we are forced to change our doctors if they are not on the list of doctors chosen by the scheme• if your doctor does not appear on the list you have to pay the doctor and the scheme's monthly fee• before the scheme covered everything but now for certain things you have to pay half and the scheme half.• At the pharmacy you have to pay some levy.

These problems made me to consider terminating my membership on the scheme. I would like you to investigate what went wrong with the scheme, and the consultation should at least be quarterly.Thank youWorker at Autozone Hyper, Bloemfontein

Dear comradeWe asked Elias Kubeka, Numsa's motor sector coordinator to answer your concern. This is what he says:"We have addressed similar complaints in the last Board of Trustees (Steering Committee) meeting.

It was resolved that we must consider cancelling the problematic Care Cross Capitation Agreement that Momentum Medical Schemes administers on behalf of MHC in the Essential and Custom Plans. Watch Numsa News for progress on this issue."

Source

Numsa News