Solidarity protects members against lockout by Seifsa

Solidarity members will not be locked out of their places of work in the metal and engineering industries by the employer organisation the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa). This comes after the trade union succeeded in protecting its members against Seifsa's planned lockout of workers during a meeting with the organisation today.

Seifsa had initially indicated that, in reaction to the strike called by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa), it would apply the lockout to non-striking Solidarity members as well, but has abandoned this plan following Solidarity's opposition to it.

According to Gideon du Plessis, General Secretary of Solidarity, Seifsa's national governing body indicated that the lockout notice will be applicable to the striking trade unions only. "Solidarity is impressed with Seifsa's decision to exclude Solidarity members from the lockout. Moreover, we regard this turn of events as a welcome accomplishment for collective bargaining and as a model of how employers and trade unions should work together," said Du Plessis

Solidarity and Seifsa furthermore agreed to continue with salary negotiations immediately. "We are ready to proceed with the negotiations with Seifsa and are optimistic that a favourable agreement will be reached soon," according to Du Plessis.

The letter whereby Seifsa indicated that Solidarity members will no longer be affected by the lockout, follows below:

Text of the letter from Seifsa to Solidarity:

30 June 2014

Mr Gideon du Plessis
General Secretary
SOLIDARITY

Dear Mr Du Plessis

WITHDRAWAL OF LOCK-OUT NOTICE AGAINST SOLIDARITY

As promised at our meeting today, I am now in a position to report back to you on the outcome of the SEIFSA Council Meeting regarding your request for a withdrawal of the lock-out notice sent to you on Friday.

I am pleased to inform you that, at its meeting in Johannesburg today, the SEIFSA Council approved the withdrawal of the lock-out notice sent to you last week. The Council has asked that I inform you that the decision was not an easy one and that it does not take away various companies' rights to deal with the situation as the situation dictates on the ground.

Thank you very much again for making yourself available for a meeting at short notice today. It is important that we keep the communication channels open between our respective offices.

Yours Sincerely

Kaizer M. Nyatsumba

Chief Executive Officer

Statement issued by Gideon du Plessis, General Secretary: Solidarity, June 30 2014

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