SATAWU slams malicious lies spread by Sacci CEO Neren Rau that the KZN toll gates strike is illegal
10 January 2012
The South African Transport & Allied Workers' Union (SATAWU) is outraged by malicious lies spread by SACCI's CEO Neren Rau as reported in the media today. SATAWU is livid with anger at these "irresponsible utterings and irrational behaviour displayed by Mr Neren Rau towards the union.
Based on the comments made by Mr Neren Rau in his capacity as the CEO of The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI), SATAWU interprets this attack as an indication that they regard our members as nothing but cheap labour that must be exploited. The days of slavery and cheap labour much envied byTolcon Lehumo and itself appointed defender SACCI's CEO Neren Rau we were buried with the demise of apartheid in 1994.
As a trade union that champions the interests of workers in the transport sector, we will never folds our arms when such malicious and unfounded lies are spread about us. We publicly call out Mr Neren Rau to show us any documentation that supports his lies. For the record SATAWU served Tolcon Lehumo with notice of intention of industrial action on 4 January 2012 as per section 64 (b) of the LRA. The strike began on Saturday, 7 January 2012. The delusional ramblings of SACCI's CEO Neren Rau are unfounded as we have given the employer more than 48 hours' notice.
The right to strike, demonstrate and march is enshrined in our democratic constitution. Who is Mr Neren Rau, to deny our members of this right? This barbaric and childish conduct by SACCI's CEO is a clear demonstration that some businesses in our country are an extension of the class instruments that seeks to undermine the rights of workers and the poor in the interests of defending their Capitalist profits.
To say the strike is illegal is a clear indication of SACCI and its CEO's total disregard for the workers' rights to strike. This blind and blunt comments is clearly a premature posture to domineer. Unfortunately it assists in leading the exploitative SACCI into a head on collision with labour. Mr Neren Rau was right to say " the greater proportions of South African good are transported by road". Yet he publicly insulted South Africa's biggest transport union by spreading malicious lies.
SATAWU will investigate this matter first and later decide on the course of action to take. For now, we call on SACCI's CEO Neren Rau to publicly retract his unfounded and untruthful statement about this union.
It is becoming more and more apparent to the Union that the company's management is not serious in paying workers a living wage. We hold the view that the only way to exert pressure, or force Tolcon to concede to workers' demands, is through maximum unity of workers and close working relations by all the provinces where the company operates. Gauteng, Freestate and the Western Cape will be joining the action soon.
Statement issued by Mamokgethi Rea Molopyane, SATAWU National Spokesperson, January 10 2012
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