SATAWU cautions G4S Cash Solutions against retrenchments

The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) warns G4S Cash Solutions to proceed with planned retrenchments at its own peril.

The cash-in-transit company intends to retrench 2915 of its 3304 staff members.

“The employer claims that it is not shutting down the company. How can that be if it intends to retrench almost 90% of its total workforce,” says General Secretary Zenzo Mahlangu.

Adding insult to injury, G4S Cash Solutions has informed SATAWU and two other unions representing its workers that it will only halt retrenchments if workers agree to forego their benefits, which include:

- Annual wage increases

- Overtime pay

- Extra pay for work during weekends and public holidays

- If they contract out of the National Bargaining Council for Road Freight and Logistics Industry

This is ironic given G4S Cash Solutions has been certified Top Employer 2016 in South Africa and 12 other African countries. The citation on the company website reads: “Independent research by the Top Employers Institute shows the company looks after its people exceptionally well, offering employees an engaging and safe working environment where their contributions are valued.”  

“Surely this cannot be the same company that is attempting to intimidate workers out of their labour rights? Management is being economical with the truth when it states difficult market conditions as a reason for retrenchments. Its closest competitors, who operate in the same market, are not retrenching. It is our view that G4S Africa is merely carrying out a mandate from its holding company in the UK,” Mahlangu says.

The matter is currently under facilitation at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). A second meeting is set for 16 November after the first was held on 16 November.

“The employer is hostile and has even threatened to dismiss the entire work force if we do not agree to the terms when the 60 days since it first gave notice of intention to retrench expires.”

G4S Cash Solutions gave notice of intention to retrench as per Section 189A of the Labour Relations Act on 1 October.

“We urge the CCMA to resolve this matter and stem further job losses or we will be forced to act.”

Issued by Zenzo Mahlangu, SATAWU General Secretary, 10 November 2015