NEWS FLASH UTATU SARWHU’s message to TFR‘If you want to emulate First World rail, begin withsalary levels,’ – see: ‘Can one-man trains work in SA?’ on page 3

NEWS

Why labour’s paydemands seemexcessive - Page 9

Affiliated to FEDUSA

Labour Report Winter 2013

On 22 June UTATUSARHWU celebrated itsfirst anniversary.The union’s celebration was sweet-

ened by the fact that, contrary to thegloomy forecasts of its critics, theunion has become by far the largestand most accomplished trade unionat Transnet.

“When we merged the white-root-ed United Transport and AlliedWorkers’Trade Union (the home ofmost of the group’s train drivers andartisans) and the black-rooted SouthAfrican Railway and HarbourWorkers’ Union (the struggle unionwhich was the home of workers acrossall Transnet activities), our critics said itwas a marriage that could not last,” saythe union’s joint presidents, GeorgeStrauss and Pholo Pholo.

“Not only have we proved themwrong, but we have demonstrated thatblack and white workers can achievebetter results by working together . . .that there is more to trade unionismthan flag-waving, slogans and strikes . .. that worker unity, professional man-agement, top quality representationand negotiating skills are the formulafor trade union success.”

Workers are recognising these factsin increasing numbers, say Georgeand Pholo.“That is why UTATUSARWHU already represents 32 000workers.That is why we are on ourway to becoming the biggest tradeunion at Transnet.

Furthermore, our union is beingrecognised as one of the finest exam-ples of racial co-operation yetachieved in the country.”

Both presidents agree that theirunion’s success over the past year is atribute to the efforts of the workersof all races and both genders whohave pulled together to create aunion of which they are proud.

“Everyone in the UTATU SAR-WHU team - our dues-payingmembers, office-bearers from Excoto committee and shop stewardlevels, and full-time officials - cantake pride in the union that theyhave created.

“To ensure further progress in theyear ahead, training and recruitment- the cornerstones of our achieve-ments – will be intensified,” sayGeorge and Pholo.“And memberswill be encouraged to continuerecruiting the non-members aroundthem.” �

U TATU SARWHU,Transnet’s largest tradeunion, has declared thecompany’s decision to slash its 2013productivity bonuses by up to two-thirds ‘a disgrace.’

“It is clear from Transnet’s 2012/13results that its employees workedsmarter, harder and more productive-ly . . . that without their efforts thegroup would not have come close tothe impressive results announced yes-terday (June 27).Why, then, insultthem by reducing their productivitybonuses to a token amount?” asksUTATU SARWHU president,George Strauss.

The principal factors that prevent-ed Transnet from achieving its earn-ings goals – the drop in coal exportsresulting from the international eco-

nomic downturn and the Kumbastrike - had nothing to do with thecompany’s workers, George argues.

“In addition to their bonus shock,”George continued,“Transnet’s work-ers are offended by the report’sabsence of any credit for their efforts.Transnet has only its self to blame forthe “why bother?” mind-set nowtaking root in its workshops.

“Mr Molefe and his managementteam need to learn that there is moreto Transnet than statistics.They needto wake up to the fact that Transnetachieved its impressive progressbecause its 54 000 employees wokeup each morning wanting to give oftheir best to their company.

“That fact needs to be placed onrecord.And it needs to be adequatelyrewarded.” �

Transnet bonusesa disgrace

Gallant UTATU SARHWUcelebrates its first anniversary

It is an outragePeople need to be protected when doing their jobs.Read the story on page 3 about a UTATU SARWHUmember’s ordeal.

2 Labour Report Winter 2013

COMMENT NEWS

Steve Harris

T here are many problems withinTransnet still needing to beresolved.There always will bein so vast and complex an operation.But a close look at UTATUSARWHU’s progress at Transnet inrecent months shows that your unionis making huge strides towardsresolving them.

In examining the broader picture,let’s start at the beginning where it

most matters – with ourmembership.

UTATU SARWHU has againestablished itself as Transnet’s largesttrade union.

Better still, it is the union with farand away the most active, informedand capable members – the peopleneeded to get things done the rightway.

Are we getting things done theright way? Looking at the excellentpay deals struck at the bargainingtable, our record in keepingretrenchments at bay, the progressmade in unblocking Transnet’s stalledtrain movement agreement, theprogress being made at TransnetEngineering (something which thisunion has campaigned for over manyyears) and our success in keepinginter-city rail travel alive, the answerhas to be a resounding YES.

All of these achievements beginand end with the solidarity of ourmembers - with their ability torecognise the most important issues,

to focus on them and to produce thearguments and actions that deliverthe desired results.

Now that our performanceexcellence has taken us to the top,let’s not relax for a moment. Let eachone of us become a recruitingactivist capable of convincing ourcolleagues that UTATU SARWHUis the place for all sensible workers tobe. If we can accomplish that, we willpave the way for even greater successin the future.

Let’s pause for a moment to seehow our efforts have impacted onour wellbeing.

Older members will remember thebleak 1990s - that time whenmanagement barely bothered tospeak to labour; when racial conflict,downsizing, despair and uncertaintywere the order of the day.

In those grim days it was rare tofind a rail worker who believed inthe future of SA rail - who wasprepared to encourage his or herchildren to join the rail industry

The first decade of this centurywas better – but not much.Management still lacked a clearvision of the future and was reluctantto play open-cards with labour.

Then came the now era - the timeresulting from the most intelligentworkers deciding that the internalunion squabbles, the flag-waving andthe waste of resources so apparentelsewhere were a waste of time, effortand money - that what was neededwas true union unity; a plan thatplaced all needs and the pursuit ofexcellence above sideline causes.

In other words, the need forworkers of all races, genders and jobsorts to unite to form UTATUSARWHU.

Just one year after the formation ofthat union it is still too early to drawdefinitive conclusions. But the resultsare more than encouraging.

UTATU SARWHU is being takenseriously by government and by allmanagements in the transport sector.Why? Because we are a fully

representative union and because ourarguments are sensible, well-focusedand in the best interests of thecompanies concerned.

Posing the question:‘Do you see afuture in the rail industry?’ inworkshops these days brings morepositive than negative replies, as doesthe question:‘Would you advise yourkids to follow in your footsteps?’

We are definitely on the righttrack. Let’s stay there by makingUTATU SARWHU ever bigger,more focused and efficient.

Congratulations are in orderWe are proud of one of our partners,Indwe.They won the SA ServiceAward in the Short Term Insurancecategory for the second yearrunning.

Big congratulations to one of ourpresidents, Pholo Pholo. He recentlyreceived a Masters degree inGovernance and Political Science atthe University of the Free State. �

IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM TELEPHONE – (011) 728 0120/1/2/3/5/6/7/9

All correspondence must be addressed to the General Secretary at headoffice@utatusarwhu.com.

E ndorsing the widespreadpraise for the negotiatorswho achieved Transnet’sinflation-beating two-year pay deal,UTATU SARWHU generalsecretary, Steve Harris, addedanother important plus to thesettlement. “The temporary shiftaway from salaries that thesettlement has earned us will enableus to focus intensively on the threeother problems bedevilling ourindustry’s industrial relations,” hesaid, singling out:

The Artisan AgreementThe Train Movement AgreementDispensation as far as the NewReward Model is concerned

“Unless they can be amicablyresolved, all three issues carry theseeds of labour unrest,” Steve toldLabour Report.

“In our most recent discussions,Transnet has informallyacknowledged that it signedagreements that were too complexfor it to implement. Appreciatingthat management painted itself intoa corner, our union is prepared tohelp them rescue the situationprovided they can come up withclear-cut, practical solutions whichare acceptable to our members.

“We have made it clear toTransnet – and will continue to doso – that any solutions offered will

have to be positive, straightforwardones that can be implementedwithout further obfuscation orbeating about the bush.

“We believe that they nowunderstand that the consequencesof any further delays which furtherdisadvantage the employees whomthey have been jerking aroundsince 2008 will be industrial unrestwhich will have significantconsequences for the company andthe national economy.

“We are hoping to report someprogress in unscrambling Transnet’sIR in the future.” �

U TATU SARWHU representsabout 60% of the Mega Busdrivers who provide the buslinks with the Gautrain.They wenton strike earlier this year.

Claiming that they cannot affordto support their families on theirexisting R6 000 a month salary, thebus drivers were demanding an 18%adjustment to their basic rate of pay.To end the strike pending furthernegotiations through the BargainingCouncil, UTATU SARWHU hasprivately negotiated an immediate9% pay adjustment retrospective to 1 April.

“On behalf of our drivermembers, we apologise to all Mega

Bus users for the disruptions theyexperienced during the strike,” saysUTATU SARWHU generalsecretary, Steve Harris.

“The blame for the strike liessquarely at management’s door. Keyworkers in so important a transportnetwork as the Gautrain should notbe expected to exist on only R6 000a month – nor should they have tostrike to achieve a living wage.

‘The type of disruption we havejust experienced is likely to berepeated for as long as themanagement of the Gautrain placesits profit objectives ahead of theneeds of its passengers and of thebroader economy.” �

Gautrain bus strike– management tobe blamed

Pay settlement shifts the focusto other burning issues – GS

Website up and runningUTATU SARWHU’s website is operational and offers all the infor-mation you would need or want about your union. Go towww.utatusarwhu.co.za to see pictures of your leaders, readabout the union’s history, page through press releases andsign up new members.46384

NEWSNEWSLabour Report Winter 2013 3

Spreading warmththis winterAn UTATU SARWHU head office initiative led to the spreading ofwarmth and kindness where it was most needed. The staffgave generously. They collected sufficient funds to purchase 80blankets for abused women and children accommodated atFrida Hartley House in Yeoville and at Bethaney House inBertrams, Johannesburg. In her letter of appreciation to theunion, Bridget Edwards, the manager of Frida Hartley House,wrote: “It is only love and kindness such as yours that we areable to make our shelter a real home for all the women andchildren who are in our care.” �

T ransnet Freight Rail isexamining the feasibility ofoperating one-man trains. Itis piloting the project on thePolokwane- Pyramid South(Pretoria) line, and has retained ateam from WitwatersrandUniversity’s EconomicsDepartment to evaluate therelevant economic and humanfactors.

“Obviously,TFR finds thepotential cost savings of one-mantrains attractive.The companyargues that in order to keep upwith progress and confirm itsposition as the world’s fifth bestrail system, it needs to follow thetrend in that direction,” explainsUTATU SARWHU deputygeneral secretary, Louis Brockett.“We, at UTATU SARWHU, aresceptical. It is not our intention tostand in the way of progress. Butwe will certainly opposetheoretical plans that do not have aplace in South Africa.

“If TFR wants to matchEuropean standards, then it mustfirst do so in other areas byequipping its train drivers withequally efficient locomotives, rollingstock, signalling and internalcommunications systems – not tomention pay levels. Even if TFRcan manage to do all that - which ishighly unlikely - the comparisonswill still be far from equal.

“Unlike SA’s train drivers whohave to manage obsolete train setsthrough miles of emptiness and awk-ward gradients, European train driv-ers are seldom out of sight of a vil-lage or church steeple.They havemodern trains to control and internalcommunication systems to keep pas-sengers informed and in constantcontact with the train control offi-cers/systems; they are assisted byautomatic braking systems and effi-cient signalling systems; they are notplagued by daily cable thefts nor dothey have potentially dangeroussquatter camps at almost every siding

- or passengers who want to burntheir trains and murder their driverswhen problems occur.

“When we examine all of thesefactors it is not an exaggeration toallege that putting an unassistedindividual in sole control of a trainunder the present TFRcircumstance could be criminallynegligent.

“There are other factors thatneed to be considered. Beforebuying into any drawing boardfantasy UTATU SARWHU willwant to know how jobs would beaffected across the TFR spectrum.Indeed, we would also want toknow if TFR is planning a futurewithout people – one in whichmachines run our systems byremote control.

“If that is the future that TFRand the SA Government isplanning, rail workers need toknow about it now – not at thelast moment.” �

N are Mashmaite, a mother, sis-ter, bread winner and traindriver in Makahdo, wasdoing her job when she was rapedand murdered.

“This is an outrage. It was withhorror that we learnt of the brutalmurder of one of our members,” says

Steve Harris, UTATU SARWHUgeneral secretary.

“Nare was strangled to death aftershe and her assistant train driverstopped the train at the Makhadotrain station to inspect what theythought was brake failure.The trainassistant managed to escape

unharmed.We cannot accept thatour members are exposed to suchadverse circumstances . . . that thugs,murderers and rapists can freely roamTransnet premises.

“UTATU SARWHU has fre-quently raised concerns regarding theunprotected conditions in which itsmembers have to work. In thisinstance, our union appreciates thespeedy reaction of the South AfricanPolice Department and TransnetSecurity in arresting a suspect.

“UTATU SARWHU has beenpro-active in campaigning forimproved rail safety.To protest againstNare Mashmaite’s murder, on 3 MayTransnet and labour arranged amarch from the Makhado railwaystation to the Makhado magistrate’scourt. Its protest was supported byTransnet and other labour bodies.

“We are grateful to TransnetChairperson, Mafika Mkwanazi,Group CEO, Brain Molefe, andChief Executive Officer of Transnet

Freight Rail, Siyabonga Gama, andother CEOs and senior managers forjoining us on that march,” says Steve.

“The other problem is that thecourt case gets postponed every timea court date is set. It is now almost ayear after the incident and Nare’sfamily still has no closure.This isunacceptable. UTATU SARWHUwill continue putting pressure on thejustice system until they have com-pleted their work.” �

An outrage

Should one-man trainsbecome an SA reality?

LABOUR REPORTLabour Report is the official organ of UTATU SARWHUStreet Address: UTATU House, 182 Louis Botha Ave, Houghton Estate

Postal Address: PO Box 31100, Braamfontein, 2017Telephone: (011) 728 0120/1/2/3/5/6/7/9 Fax: (011) 728 8257/8

Internal: (011) 773 8880 E-mail: headoffice@utatusarwhu.com Website: www.utatusarwhu.com

Durban OfficeUTATU SARWHU House206 Che Guavara (Moore) Road, DurbanPO Box 61267, Bishopsgate, 4008 Tel: (031) 823 5927, 082 922 3960E-mail: utatudbn@utatusarwhu.com

Cape Town OfficePaul Sauer Building, Room 316, 3rd Floor, Cape TownTel: (021) 449 5879

Kimberley Office5th Floor, Plims Building, 32 Chapel Street, Kimberley, 8301PO Box 2999, Kimberley, 8300 Tel: (053) 832 1500 Fax: (053) 832 1501

Bloemfontein OfficeRoom 206/207 Second Floor, Handisa Building 39 Blignaut Street, Hilton, BloemfonteinTel: (051) 447 9158 Fax: (051) 447 9207

Published by UTATU SARWHUEditorial and advertising: Schraaiber ccFax (011) 234 1501schraader@mweb.co.za ISSN 0004-3869

MG634

NEWSNEWSLabour Report Winter 2013 5

B ombela seems to have shed itsearlier idea that employeesalary levels have to bestunted to enable it to meet thebudgetary targets which it agreedwith its client. Having alreadyexperienced UTATU SARWHU’sunbending opposition to that skewednotion, the company approached its2013/14 pay talks with the unionwith an open mind.

“The result was a professional setof negotiations that confronted allissues in a business-like manner andwhich resulted in a competitive setof salary improvements that havepaved the way for a smooth workingrelationship between managementand employees,” says Steve Harris, thegeneral secretary of UTATUSARWHU – the only trade unionrecognised by Bombela.

The new agreement applies to allBombela employees for the period 1July 2013 to 30 June 2014.A highlightof the agreement is that Bombela hasagreed that there will be noretrenchments for a period of twelvemonths following its 21 June 2013signing of its agreement with UTATUSARWHU. Other highlights are:

The 9% increase to the salaries ofall employees earning a basic salary

of less than R110 000 per annum.The 8% increase for all those inthe above R110 000 p.a. bracket.Overtime and Sunday time beingincreased in accordance with theabove rates.The Night Shift allowance andNight Work Subsidy (NTWS) willbe increased by the percentageapplicable to the basic salary.A13th cheque is to be paid to allemployees of the company.A R100 a month (i.e. 50%)improvement to the monthly housingallowance with immediate effect.

Maternity leaveAll female employees are entitled tofour months’ maternity leave.Therevised Maternity Leave agreementgives pregnant employees the choiceof one of two options.They willneed to select their preferred optionprior to taking their maternity leave.

Option A:The company will pay the employee100% pf salary during the first twomonths of the maternity leave period andnothing for the remaining two months.

Option B:The company will pay the employee

50% of her salary for each of the fourmonths that she is on maternity leave.

In each instance, to assist pregnantemployees to receive their maternitybenefits, the company will registerthe employee online for UIF at theBOC office.

Employee ConcessionsBombela will engage theConcessionaire to determine if anyconcession on the travelling andparking fares can be granted toemployees for the use of theGautrain system. Bombela hascommitted itself to provide UTATUSARWHU feedback on its effortswithin three months.

Variation AgreementBoth parties have agreed to negotiate avariation in terms of Clause 15 of theBasic Conditions of Employment Act(BCEA) and any other clause

applicable to the needs of the companyand the employees.This variation mustbe concluded within 3 months (three)months of the date of the 21 Junesignature of the agreement.

Points of Common CauseThe 13th cheque already mentionedwill be paid to all employees.

Current Funeral Benefits are asfollows:Member, spouse and dependant agedbetween 14 and less than 21 R10 000Dependant aged between six and lessthan 14 R5 000Dependant aged between one andless than six R2 500Dependant aged between 0 and lessthan one R1 750Stillborn R1 750

Medical subsidy and options willremain unchanged.

Death insurance remains as

stipulated in the rules of the pensionfund. Each employee is entitled tothree times his/her annualpensionable payments as death cover.

There will be no commitmentsfrom the company on gain share.

Dispute ResolutionAny dispute arising out of theinterpretation and/or application ofthe agreement, both while in forceand after its termination, will be dealtwith in terms of the applicable disputeresolution provisions contained in therecognition and procedural agreementbetween the parties.

Summing up the negotiations,Steve said:“Fair play is a two-waything. Now that Bombela has shownits readiness to give its employees afair deal, I am sure that employeeswill respond in like manner in orderto prepare the way for anotherhealthy salary settlement in 2014.” �

U TATU SARWHU’s urgentintervention to save theMainline Passenger Service(MLPS) (the passenger rail servicelinking South Africa’s main cities)from the scrapheap has succeeded,at least for the immediate future.

Having received the reassurancethat Prasa will continue to operatethe inter-city passenger train whilethe SA Government re-evaluates itscommitment to sustaining anational passenger train serviceparallel to its air service, UTATUSARWHU and FEDUSA’s leadersare confident that government nowunderstands the need to continueinter-city rail travel and willprovide the funds needed tomaintain it.

When the survival of MLPScame under threat earlier this year,UTATU SARWHU actedimmediately to save the jobs of itsemployees.The union succeeded inobtaining assurances from Prasathat, in the event of the servicebeing terminated, there would beno retrenchments. MLPSemployees would be re-deployed.

Turning its attention to savingthe rail service, the union theninvoked the help of its labourfederation, the Federation ofUnions of South Africa (Fedusa).

Acting together, the two labourbodies took the unusual step of by-passing the cabinet ministersconcerned to approach DeputyPresident Kgalema Motlanthe.

“We believed that theimportance of SA’s inter-citypassenger service demanded ourtaking the case to the highestdecision-making level,” explainedSteve Harris, UTATU SARWHU’sgeneral secretary.

The Deputy President agreed tomeet the UTATUSARWHU/FEDUSA delegation athis residence on Thursday, 4 April.Present to assist him were BenMartins, the Minister of Transport,Lucky Montana Group ChiefExecutive, Chief Executive of thePassenger Rail Services of SouthAfrica (Prasa), and senior governmentaides and consultants.

The UTATUSARWHU/FEDUSA teamconsisted of union president,George Strauss; general secretary,Steve Harris; Pieter Greyling andAndre Bester (from the union);Fedusa’s general secretary, DennisGeorge, and deputy generalsecretary, Krister van Rensburg.

During the meeting the UTATUSARWHU/FEDUSA team stressedthat:

A national passenger rail serviceis an essential component of thecountry’s transport network.

Passenger services the world overare not self-funding and need to be- and are - subsidised bygovernments.

South Africa needs to maintain aninter-city rail service to serve themajority - poor citizens who cannotafford to travel by road or air.

Without an inter-city rail service,SA would become the onlycountry in the developed world

Sound Bombelasettlement paves wayfor smooth workingrelationship

UTATU SARWHU’s actionmight have saved SA’sinter-city rail travel

without a fully-integrated transportsystem.

If the government refused tosubsidise passenger rail whilecontinuing to subsidise air travel, itwould be playing into the hands ofthose angry rail commuters whowant to destroy the Gautrainbecause they believe that theirgovernment does not care abouttheir situation.

The level of subsidy required tokeep MLPS in operation would beonly a fraction of the cost ofsubsidising South African Airways.

After hearing the arguments putforward by the two labour bodies,Deputy President Motlanthe agreedthat it was necessary to subsidisethe country’s long-distance railservice. He went a step further andundertook to ‘carry the bags’ of theMinister of Transport to NationalTreasury where financial supportfor MLPS has to be negotiated.

“It was a good meeting.We leftit confident that our arguments hadmade their mark,” Steve toldLabour Report.

“The engagement left us feelingvery positive that government nowrealises the harm that unbundlingthe country’s rail services willcause,” added Dennis George.“Naturally, we were also delightedto receive confirmation that noneof UTATU SARWHU’s memberswould lose their jobs.

“FEDUSA has always insistedthat rail infrastructure is central tothe country’s economic and socialdevelopment.The Federation hasembarked on several campaigns insupport of the move from road torail as it is convinced that railtransport will provide a moresustainable solution to our transportand developmental challenges.” �

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T ransnet Engineering – thecompany that is rapidly creatingjobs and earning the economybillions of rands by locallymanufacturing rolling stock that usedto be imported - is the new SAsuccess story.

“It’s a success story that could haveunfolded a decade or more ago hadgovernment listened to UTATUSARWHU. For many years ourunion was the only voicechampioning TE’s potential,” saysSteve Harris.

“The same can be said of theswitch of cargoes from rail to road.Asthat switch began happening from1994, we warned of the jobs beingsacrificed and the irreversible damagebeing done to our road system.Nobody listened. Now – after vitallines have been closed andexperienced workers have beensacrificed - the penny has finally

dropped and government is trying toswing freight back to rail. Had theylistened in the first place this countrywould today have had a moreeconomic and environment-friendlyfreight transport system, fewer tollroads, less public anger and billions ofrands more to spend on constructivedevelopment projects.

“Skills development is another areawhere not listening to this union hascost the country untold amounts ofmoney. From the day that governmentdown-graded technical training, wewarned of the huge consequences ofthe skills it was sacrificing.

“After more than a decade ofmisplaced idealism, governmentfinally got the message, reinstatedtraining and began paying seriousattention to skills development. Butit is still a case of too little, too late.Technical workers in the StateOwned Enterprises remain under-

valued and the skills drain continues.“What’s the point of training people if

you cannot retain their skills? Must weexperience more Eskom and toll-road-style disasters before adequate focus isplaced on nurturing and retaining skilledworkers in Transnet and elsewhere?”

Transnet’s technicaldeficienciesTransnet is continuing to lose its brightesttechnical people because its rewardmodels remain uncompetitive, says SteveHarris.The company is aware of theproblem,but continues to drag its feet.

“Transnet cannot afford its presentskills drain. It needs to retain the skillsit has nurtured and to attract skilledworkers from other areas – but it isstill far away from achieving thoselevels of effectiveness.

“The group’s skills shortage is mostnoticeable amongst its artisans andengineering technicians. But it is alsolosing its track masters, inspectors,electricians and traction linesmen at afaster-than-healthy rate.

“Uncompetitive pay is not the onlycause of the skills drain. Moreintensive training methods could alsohelp to alleviate the situation.

“The company has too fewtechnical instructors.This is resultingin there being 25 to 30 trainees ineach class – too high a ratio toachieve optimum results.” �

6 Labour Report Winter 2013

NEWS NEWS

M any members know, orknow of, Oom Oosie -or Philip Oosthuizen.Well-loved Oom Oosie was arailwayman from 1948 when hestarted as a trainee fireman, up tohis ‘second retirement’ in 2000 asthe manager of Voetplaat Park, theunion’s holiday resort.To enableeveryone to enjoy the romance and

experiences of a life in rail, OomOosie has recorded his adventuresin book form. His book is calledOnce a Railwayman – the story ofa career on the rails of SouthAfrica. Anyone who is interested inobtaining a copy of the book cancontact Neville Oosthuizen onnevandsandy@telkomsa.net. �

Y ears of dedicated UTATUSARWHU vigilance, resolveand effort are on the brink ofyielding the implementation ofTransnet’s Train MovementAgreement that could boost thecombined earnings of the company’s+- 4 000 train drivers and TrainControl Officers and CTC Co-ordi-nators.

“The obstacles blocking theadvance opportunities of drivers andTCOs and CTC Co-ordinators arein the process of being removed andthey can in future take the necessarysteps to raise themselves to the nextlevel and earn themselves an addi-tional reward,” says UTATU SAR-WHU deputy general secretary,Louis Brockett.

Tracing the background to the sit-uation, Louis told Labour Report:“Historically, all train drivers earnedthe same pay however much theirresponsibilities differed.The 2008Train Movement Agreement createdA, B and C categories of train driv-ers and Train Control Officers,according their levels of activity.Theoretically, the agreement created

salary and advancement improve-ments for all as they climbed theskills and performance ladder.

“In 2010, when we saw that noprogress had been made towardsimplementing the agreement, wedeclared a dispute. During the ensu-ing negotiations TFR added sensibletechnical and supervisory modules tothe agreement.All seemed well, butsubsequent monitoring of the agree-ment showed that there was still nomovement.Worse still, by April 2011the supervisory and technical mod-ules were not in place – the affectedtrain drivers and TCOs still did notknow what was expected of them orhow to go about improving their sit-uations.The many C categoryemployees who could have been atthe 100th percentile were losing outto a large sum of earning per annum.

“We immediately declared a dis-pute.At the subsequent BargainingCouncil hearing in July 2011 wewere told that our action was prema-ture as TFR still had until Novemberto implement the deal. Nevertheless,we had made progress.We hadgained the attention of Tumelo

Mokwela,TFR’s general manager,human capital, and we had placedthe issue centre stage and ensuredthat it would at last receive properattention.

“Despite that breakthrough, wedid not let the matter rest. Ourfollow-up scrutiny of individual paysheets showed that pay levels werestill not improving as they should be.IDPs – Individual DevelopmentPlans – were not being issued.

“Finally, reacting to these pressures,TFR admitted that it was at fault.Theoutcome was a joint management/labour inspection of eight depots last yearwhich confirmed that people were notmoving up their scales as they shouldhave been.Our inspection had uneartheda breakdown in communicationsbetween TFR and the School of RailDevelopment by showing that localdepots had no knowledge of AnnualTraining Plans (ATPs) and IDPs.

“Still, progress did not come easily.We had to threaten arbitration to getTFR’s full attention.

“Victory has eventually beenachieved for those in the C category.This year about 300 train drivers and

TCOs should be able to move up tothe 75th percentile, as well as a largenumber to the 100th percentile thusincreasing their earnings, as well.Next year they can look to movingup to the 100th percentile.

“The news is equally good fortrain drivers and TCOs in the A andB categories.To speed up the pace oftheir advancement, management hasproduced a programme ofContinuous Professional Learning(CPL) which reduces refreshertraining and skills re-evaluation toonly five days.

“Those in the A and B grades havebeen given 1, 2, 3 and 4 ratings inaccordance with the activity levels oftheir specific depots. Being depot-activity-linked, their upward mobilityis not going to be as easily attained asit will be for those in the C Grade.

“UTATU SARWHU willcontinue monitoring the situation.In addition to our set monthlymeetings, we will institute ad hocmeetings on the situation wheneverthe need arises.Therefore, any traindriver or TCO who feels that he orshe is not getting a fair deal should

contact either me or his or her localmanager.” �

UTATU SARWHU’sbreakthrough benefits all workers

Asked if UTATU SARWHU’sbreakthrough and assistance wereavailable only to train drivers andtrain control officers who wereunion members, Louis Brockettreplied:

“We help everyone because weare here to help all workers. Ofcourse, if the applicant is a non-member we’ll try to sign him or herup. It’s not a problem.

Most train drivers and TCOs arealready UTATU SARWHUmembers because they know thatour union is the place forprofessionals who place career issuesahead of flag-waving.” �

S tarting from July Eddie deKlerk’s training team will beholding two-day trainingcourses around the country designedto up-date about 800 UTATU SAR-WHU trade union representatives ontheir union’s Constitution and

Recognition Agreements.“It is that high level of application

which has made our union far andaway the most effective protector ofemployees with problems,” says gen-eral secretary, Steve Harris. �

Train Movement Agreement:

UTATU SARWHU’s interventioncould bring possible earningsboost to train drivers and TCOs

Not listening to UTATUSARWHU cost SA billions

More training onthe way

Once aRailwayman...

Deputy General Secretary,Louis Brockett

4919

Labour Report Winter 2013 7

NEWS NEWS

T ransnet is in the process ofcentralising and standardisingits training schools and devel-oping them into Schools ofExcellence under the TransnetAcademy. Labour Report spoke toDr Matthews Katjene, executivemanager: Group Capacity Building,about the project.

“There are a number of schoolsacross the country.They are used forthe training needs of each of the dif-ferent operating divisions. Under thenew Transnet leadership it was decid-ed to standardise and consolidatethese schools so that the principlesand policies of one school will beimplemented no matter the niche,”Dr Katjene explained.

“We have to look at the biggerpicture.The training offered will stillbe specific to the different divisionsbut all schools will report to theTransnet Academy. Over time, all ofthe current schools will become partof the Transnet Academy.”

The project has kicked off as oneschool at a time is repackaged andconsolidated.There are four legs tothe Academy:

The Maritime School ofExcellence which was opened inJanuary 2013 is an amalgamation ofthe Transnet National Ports andTransnet Ports Authority trainingschools.The main campus is on the

premises of the old Durban Airportgrounds. Satellite campuses will beopened where needed.There areplans for campuses at Port Elizabeth,Richards Bay and Cape Town.

The School of Rail. In thisinstance, the project leaders will lookat Engineering and decide if specificskills training has to be incorporated.

The Institute of Technical Trainingwill be the base school of engineer-ing but for artisans and engineers.

The School of Leadership willcater for business training, commer-cial, marketing, leadership, etc. It willalso offer courses in other skills suchas computer courses, project manage-ment, etc.

In all cases there will be a maincampus and satellite campuses whereneeded.“We will look at facilitiesavailable and use them according toneed,” Matthews Katjene explains.“Only the Maritime School ofExcellence is up and running so farand in the first intake it recruited 77unemployed students with matric.Tohelp them in their studies theyreceive stipends and accommodation.The trainers are specialists in theirareas and are legally accredited.”

The project to convert the otherthree schools kicked off on 1 April.“The process involves consultationwith labour to determine the impactit will have on the employees. So far

no retrenchments have been neces-sary and we don’t foresee any,” saysMatthews.

“The benefit of the TransnetAcademy is that the schools canfocus on core delivery and they willbe the best in what they offer.Wewant to be the provider of choice –not only for Transnet workers but forthe country and for Africa. It is partof Transnet’s social responsibility andthe National agenda on skills devel-opment.

“Of course,Transnet has the bigbenefit as the company will be ableto have the pick of the best workers.Good workers are good for thebrand.

Louis Brockett, UTATU SAR-WHU deputy general secretary, saysthat the Transnet Academy is anexcellent idea.The union wasinvolved in the process from the startand supports Transnet wholehearted-ly in its endeavour.

“Through the Academy, people areempowered academically and practi-cally.We encourage our members toassist the learners when theyencounter them in their jobs.”

Louis adds that the work of theAcademy will educate the nation andcreate more jobs – a factor that willlead to less crime. �

On behalf of all of our members,Pholo Pholo and I congratulate ournegotiators on their success at thebargaining table. Given the currentinflation rate and all-round financialsituation, the two-year deal achievedat Transnet – 8,5% for the 2013/14financial year and 9% for the2014/15 financial year – was an out-standing result.

Congratulations must also go toour team for overcoming the dead-lock (which at one stage threatenedthe talks) without involving membersin industrial action and in going astep further by improving on thedeal put forward by the facilitator.

When one adds this year’s 12,3%improvement to the minimum wageand the up-graded housingallowance, medical subsidy, standbyand night shift allowances and theconsiderable further increases to fol-low next year, the Transnet 2013/4salary settlement becomes the bestachieved this century and to theirsupporters.

Our Transnet negotiators will bethe first to tell you that their successat Transnet was a team effort . . . thatthe results they managed would nothave been possible without thereport they received from our mem-bers, branch officers, Exco and full-time UTATU SARWHU officials.

We congratulate all concerned onwhat became excellent examples ofteamwork and unity of purpose.

Good interim Megabusresult - Autopax battleGeorge Strauss speaking: OurMegabus negotiators also did well tosecure their members a conflict-breaking 9% pay rise while leavingthe door open for them to benefitfrom any further increases that mightbe achieved through the SouthAfrican Road Passenger BargainingCouncil (SARPBAC). Here again,our negotiators succeeded in balanc-ing their members’ immediate needswith their long-term interests as wellas those of the company and broadereconomy.Their salary levels remainfar too low relative to their needsand the responsible work they aredoing as well as their vital roles inthe transport chain. UTATU SAR-WHU will continue to give priorityto these issues.

As I left to attend conferences inSingapore and France (17 May),Pieter Greyling and Maria Choncowere still battling extremely difficultcircumstances at problem-riddenAutopax.True to form, the companyhad locked its workers out yet again.Even if it has to learn the hard way,Autopax must eventually learn that

the only road to viability must bethrough open and honest dialoguewith the workers who make its serv-ices possible. UTATU SARWHUwill continue to drive these pointshome.

UTATU SARWHU regainstop spotUTATU SARWHU has nowenrolled 42% of Transnet employees,making it the group’s single biggesttrade union.“This is a tribute to thededicated recruiting efforts of ourmembers, office-bearers and full-timeofficials, and to the growing realisa-tion that UTATU SARWHU is thehome of all workers who want effec-tive representation and the best possi-ble returns on their membership sub-scriptions,” say George Strauss andPholo Pholo, the union’s presidents.

“When Utatu and Sarwhu mergeda year ago to form UTATU SAR-WHU, there were many whothought it was a marriage that wouldbe dissolved after a few months. Ourstrength at the bargaining table -along with our unity and growth -has proved those cynics wrong,” sayGeorge and Pholo.“Just as we areworking well together at presidentiallevel, so are our members and offi-cials in all of our structures.Today,there is just one union – UTATU

SARWHU – and we are proud ofour roles in building it. Our unionhas proved itself to be one of SouthAfrica’s finest examples of racialunity.

“By continuing to pull together,we can look forward to ongoingmembership growth, greater bargain-ing strengths and even better mem-ber benefits.This makes UTATWUSARWHU by far the best place tobe for workers wanting the supportof a machine which is capable ofimproving their circumstances andjob security,” say UTATUSARWHU’s joint presidents.

Govt’s retirement reformproposalsThe final draft of the Government’sRetirement Reform Proposals hasbeen received and is being evaluated.The proposals will be fully debatedby Nedlac at a date yet to be set.“Labour’s views on the proposedreforms will have a significant bear-

ing on their final form.We are hop-ing that the conference can takeplace before the end of June,” saysGeorge.

Best wishes to AndréAndré Bester has left UTATU SAR-WHU to take up a managementposition.“André did a tremendousjob for our union and its predecessorand we are going to miss him.Wewish him every success in his newcareer,” says George Strauss.

International ConferencesOn May 17, George Strauss flew toSingapore to attend the CFA confer-ence. On his return, he flew to Parison Fedusa’s behalf to attend the con-ference of the Action Committee ofInternational Trade UnionConfederation and to present a paperon the planning and progress ofSouth Africa’s pension reforms. �

Transnet Academy ‘an excellent idea’

UTATU SARWHU president ,George Strauss.

UTATU SARWHU president,GMP Pholo.

Presidents’ Messages

Congratulations to ourTransnet salary negotiators…

Frans Crause, UTATU SARWHU Executive Council member, hadthe honour of handing over a cheque to Stanley Yalolo, pro-duction manager at Infra North End Port Elizabeth who wenton retirement.

Jabulile (Jabu) Madonsela, Maritime branch secretary of thePort of Richards Bay, has achieved a degree of BBA MarketingManagement from IMM-GSM Global Marketing. Seen celebrat-ing with her are her proud mother and gran. Jabu has alwaysbeen a go-getter and we can see her going far in life. Welldone, Jabu!

Congratulations Jabu

Congratulations!

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8 Labour Report Winter 2013

NEWS NEWS

I nternal theft at TransnetEngineering is reaching chronicproportions. Already in 2013,internal theft amounts to R236 000as against the R81 000 stolenduring the same period last year.

“Most of the losses relate tocopper wire being stolen. But atTE’s Bloemfontein plant, steelplates to the value of R77 000 havedisappeared,” UTATU SARWHUassistant general secretary, Eddie deKlerk, told Labour Report.

“The real criminals are the scrapdealers who are bribing workers tobreak the law. Occasionally scrapdealers are trapped and brought tobook, but mostly it is the workerwho ends up losing his or her joband going to jail.

“UTATU SARWHU’s stance onthe issue is straightforward.Transnet

has the right to protect itsequipment. Our union supportsTE’s efforts to combat theft.We areone hundred per cent against theft.And we are one hundred per centagainst those crooks who are tryingto enrich themselves at the expenseof their company and, ultimately, atthe expense of their fellow workers.

“UTATU SARWHU will defendany member charged with theft. Butdon’t expect any favours from us. Ifwe believe that you are guilty, ourdefence will not go beyond ensuringthat you are given a fair trial.”

According to Eddie,TransnetEngineering is tightening itsinternal security through thepositioning of more CCTVcameras and the appointment of 24additional security officers.Employees are also being

encouraged to becomewhistleblowers by reporting theftsor suspicious actions via thecompany’s toll-free security line. �

T hales-Maziya Consortium hasbeen awarded a R1.86 billioncontract to upgrade the traintraffic control and signalling systemin the Western Cape. Prasaspokesperson, Nana Zenani, said theconsortium would establish a newtrain traffic control centre in CapeTown and design, construct andinstall a new railway signalling sys-tem.

She said the upgrade to the sig-nalling system would begin in thecurrent financial year and wouldreplace mainly obsolete mechanical

and electromechanical systems withelectronic interlockings.

“Currently, only 23 of the 162(14%) signalling installations acrossthe Prasa network have not exceededtheir design life.The rest of the sig-nalling averages 35 years in age and isat the end of its life cycle,” she said.

Similar upgrades would be takingplace nationally.

“At the heart of the signalling pro-gramme is the need to guaranteepassenger safety and operational effi-ciency, which is largely dependent onrail signalling,” Zenani said.

“The unavailability of spares dueto the age of the rail signalling hasmade it increasingly impossible toperform maintenance and fault-find-ing duties.” Prasa hoped the upgradeswould improve train headways andon-time performance.

Reacting to Prasa’s announcement,UTATU SARWHU general secre-tary, Steve Harris, said:“We arepleased to take note of this and trustthat once it is fully implemented itwill ensure a more reliable and safeservice for all.” �

T he expansion of its railengineering capabilitiesand the addition of servicesto ports and pipelines is makingTransnet Engineering a vitalsource of economic advancementand employment.

Most of the company’s growthwill be achieved through its rolein developing and refurbishingthe country’s rolling stock forTFR and Prasa, its extension intothe African engineering marketand the services it intendsproviding to SA’s ports andpipelines. By 2019 the companyproposes to have added new-venture business worth some

R6-billion to its presentturnover.

“Transnet Engineering’sgrowth plan is a dream cometrue for UTATU SARWHU andfor its technical workermembers,” says Steve Harris, theunion’s general secretary. “Ourunion has been calling for thistype of development for almost20 years. For most of those yearswe seemed to be the only voicethat recognised TE’s fullpotential.

“TE already employs morethan 14 000 people and trainssome 2 000 students annually,many of whom are taken into

full-time employment,” saysSteve. “The company’s growthplan could more than double thatfigure by the end of the decade.

“We congratulate Transnet onsharing our vision and forgetting the job done. Given fairdeals along the way, UTATUSARWHU’s technical memberswill be four-square behind theirambitious expansionprogramme.” �

R ailway development inSouth Africa receivedanother big boost on 21May when Transnet Freight Railannounced its plan to construct adedicated manganese export raillink between the Northern Capeand the Port of Ngqura outsidePort Elizabeth.The new line willserve as a smaller brother to TFR’sSishen-Saldhana iron ore andRichards Bay coal lines.

Siyabonga Gama,TransnetFreight Rail’s chief executive, tolda meeting organised by theJohannesburg Chamber ofCommerce that a R2,3 billionplan to upgrade the rail networkhad already been approved as thefirst phase of a R27-billionrailways and harbour developmentprogramme that would raise SouthAfrica’s export capacity to 21million tons.

TFR would be investing R10.8-billion between 2012/13 and2018/19 on rolling stock andinfrastructure to support themanganese-corridor project, he said.

“This is great news for rail,harbours and the nationaleconomy,” says UTATUSARWHU general secretary, SteveHarris. “The project will serve as afurther boost to the investmentplans that are bringing SouthAfrican rail and harbour servicesand jobs back to full life.

“TFR plans to employ 200wagon trains powered by dual-voltage locomotives. On its wayfrom the Northern Cape manganesemines to Ngqura, the line will runthrough Postmasburg, Kimberley, DeAar and Cradock boosting thosetowns’ rail support systems.Themanganese export terminal to beconstructed at Ngqura will furtherenhance that growing port and theEast Cape economy.

“With South Africa providing80% of the world’s manganese, theNorthern Cape-Ngqura line canlook forward to a long-term future.”

Jobs bonanzaThe day after Siyabonga Gamaannounced TFR’s plan toconstruct a manganese linebetween the Northern Cape andthe Port of Ngqura, the followingarticle was published on the SABCwebsite:

More than 80 000 jobs areexpected to be created in the EasternCape by Transnet’s capitalexpenditure programme over thenext seven years. Nearly R13 billionis to be spent just on new portinfrastructure at the ports of PortElizabeth, Ngqurha and East London.

The planned capital expenditure inthe Eastern Cape forms part ofTransnet’s earlier announced R300-billion capital expenditure programmefor the country as a whole.

The bulk of the money will gotowards the upgrading of the nationalrail system while R57 billion hasbeen set aside for the development of

ports.The bulk of the money will befor the building of a manganeseterminal and other projects.

Earlier this week, a R2.3-billionrailway network upgrade from themanganese rich Northern Cape tothe port of Ngqura was alsoannounced.The Eastern Cape’s cutfor port development is R13-billion. CEO of the TransnetNational Ports Authority,TauMorwe, says: “This is a small craftbasin in the development of thePort of Ngqurha. In PE, we arelooking at deepening the entrancechannel, deepening berths and inEast London, a coal terminal.”

Morwe says:“These are jobs inthe Eastern Cape economy as aresult of MDS and the activities thatTransnet will embark upon.A largechunk of them will be permanent.There will also be infrastructure thatwill be permanent.” �

UTATU SARWHU’s messageto its TE members: thecrooks among us arestealing our money too

Another bigboost for rail

Signalling upgrade willimprove safety

Transnet Engineering’s megagrowth plan a dream cometrue for UTATU SARWHU

Deputy General Secretary,Eddie de Klerk

DeathsMarch Mathye CT Child JohannesburgMdlalose V Member VryheidUngerer NM Member VryheidGama B Spouse NewcastleBeckett FE Member DurbanLiebenberg JF Member Richards BayMaluleka MM Member PretoriaGreeff MGJ Spouse Richards BayFella BJ Spouse BloemfonteinDube SB Member Capital ParkFakude MJ Member Richards BayNel PS Member OgiesCele PM Member DurbanPilcher RE Spouse UitenhageVan der Merwe JV Member WarrentonNeethling H Member Capital ParkApril Snyman LC Member PostmasburgKleynhans HL Spouse SasolburgDe Winnaar JJ Spouse BloemfonteinGreeff MM Member SaldanhaHuman MC Member KoedoespoortCoetzee LJ Member ErmeloBantom E Member East LondonThulukanam M Member DurbanNgobeni JS Member KomatipoortNyempe AM Member Richards BayShabangu TI Member JohannesburgMabika BA Member EmpangeniMakhubu BA Member WitbankPheto MP Member LeeuhofItumeleng KF Child BloemhofFerero A Spouse RandfonteinKoornaar P Spouse SishenDukada N Member PretoriaWilson F Member JohannesburgLebatse E Member SentrarandPillay K Member BloemfonteinNtshali MMJ Member BloemfonteinVan Vuuren MJ Spouse NewcastleMboniswa MA Child Salt RiverStock OV Member BloemhofThompson S Member JohannesburgMkhize NSP Member BayheadGabela Z Member JohannesburgBeaumont PW Member Cape TownMay Paulsen HWC Member Cape TownBooysen A Child Cape TownChiba PJ Member BloemfonteinMalusi-Kube N Child Cape TownShezi AM Member Richards BayJoseph Member Richards BayWitbooi HJC Member PostmasburgMashapa NS Member BraamfonteinMthembu H Member Cape TownMahlangu GD Child ParktownBosch WF Member Port ElizabethMsomi NT Member NelspruitVan Wyk AP Member GermistonKoorsten CR Spouse EmpangeniMkhari WM Spouse ParktownMkhari WM Child ParktownNortjee AJ Member KrugersdorpDe Klerk NH Member GermistonConradie JF Member ElandsfonteinSebatana EK Member ElandsfonteinBotha HJ Member BellvilleMosime MR Child BloemfonteinVan der Westhuizen JGC Spouse WorcesterNel AM Member StandertonWecu LA Member Cape TownMokoena S Member Pretoria

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Labour Report Winter 2013 9

GLOBALGlobaltransportRound-upHong Kong dockers’40-day stand-off winsconcessions

After striking for 40 days, theUnion of Hong Kong Dockersaccepted a deal stipulating improvedwages and further negotiation onworking conditions as well as anassurance of no retaliation againstworkers who participated in thestrike.

The International TransportFederation has called the settlementa ‘real victory.’

During the strike, over 8 500 let-ters of protest were sent to HongKong International Terminals (HIT)and union also received thousands ofmessages of support.

Vancouver port stand-off earning polecatrating

The Port of Vancouver’s handlingof a labour dispute is earning it aninternational polecat rating.Theproblem centres around a dispute atMitsui-United Grain who, whenfaced with a labour dispute, electedto lock its workers out rather thanengage in honest negotiations withtheir union.The workers stood theirground.As we went to press thelockout was approaching threemonths.

The situation was inflamed whenpolice were called in to oversee apeaceful process outside the Mitsui-owned United Grain Corporationterminal.

Commenting on the situation,ITF acting general secretary, FranCotton, said:“The recent spectacleof 12 carloads of police arriving tooversee a peaceful protest outside theMitsui-owned United GrainCorporation terminal shows howthe company’s intransigence is harm-ing the local community – and thecompany’s reputation. If Mitsui insiston playing with fire they shouldn’texpect the Vancouver police depart-ment to have to don asbestos gloveson their behalf.This situationdemands a solution.The companycan no longer evade that fact.”

Thai governmentaccused of serious railabuses

The Kingdom of Thailand hasbeen accused of gross violation ofthe international norms on tradeunion rights set out in ILO conven-tions 87 and 98 and this has beenhighlighted by its having allowed theState Railways of Thailand (SRT) tovictimise trade union members forexposing serious safety breaches onthe country’s rail network.

The case centres on the dismissalof 13 union leaders and branch offi-cials who took part in an occupa-tional health and safety initiative inOctober 2009 to publicise the seri-ous rail safety failings which led totwo derailments in four days thatmonth.The accidents killed sevenand injured many others. In one

instance, the driver had had one restday in the previous 30 days.The dri-ver’s ‘deadman’s handle’ system wasnot working and, unbelievably, only20 per cent of locomotives wereeven equipped with such a funda-mental piece of equipment, accord-ing to the union.The initiativeinvolved 1 200 SRUT memberswho refused to drive trains withfaulty or missing deadman’s handles.

As well as dismissing the unionleaders for their part in raising thesubject of hazards faced on thecrumbling rail system, the SRT tookthe SRUT to court to try to imposepunitive damages. Despite interna-tional protests and against all legalopinion, the dismissals have beenallowed to stand by the Thai courts.Their decision has led to the com-plainants taking this latest action.

The Thai government’s principalaccusers – the InternationalTransport Workers’ Federation (ITF),its affiliated union the State RailwayWorkers’ Union of Thailand(SRUT), the Thai State EnterprisesWorkers’ Relations Confederation(SERC), and the International TradeUnion Confederation (ITUC) -have joined together to make acomplaint against the Thai govern-ment to the International LabourOrganisation (ILO).

British companiesfined for endangeringpublic and staff safety

The Old Bailey in London hasfined three transport companies£100,000 each after a runaway traincame within 2,000 ft (600 m) ofcrashing into a packed tube train on13 August 2010.A maintenancewagon broke free from an emptypassenger train which was towing itand was out of control for 16 min-utes as it hurtled through seven sta-tions on the Northern Line.London Underground (LU),TubeLines Ltd and Schweerbau GMBHpleaded guilty to endangering pas-sengers and staff and were fined on28 February 2013.

Responding to the verdict, BobCrow, RMT general secretary, said:“Today’s court outcome reinforcesRMT’s case for a halt to the on-going cuts process to jobs and main-tenance schedules that is undermin-ing and diluting safety proceduresacross the tube network and whichcontinue to create the perfect condi-tions for a major disaster.

“This shocking incident, whichcould very easily have resulted in amajor tragedy and loss of life, shouldcontinue to serve as a wake-up callto London Underground andLondon mayor, Boris Johnson.

“This near-miss underlines theimportance of maintaining the high-est possible safety standards on thetube where no one is put under anypressure to cut corners – and yetthat is exactly the pressure ourmembers are under right now withmaintenance and staffing cuts still onthe agenda.”

Why labour’s pay demandssometimes seem excessiveI t is understandably difficult forthe uninitiated to perceive whylabour regularly asks for 18 or20% pay rises against a CPI ofaround six per cent and against anopening management offer of evenless than that.

‘Why this unrealistic gap?’ onemay ask. ‘One does not hear of sim-ilar demands from the managerialstrata.’

Having long since won their dailysurvival battles, managers’ interestsfocus more on the annual bonusthan on the monthly pay adjust-ment.They want cash that willincrease their range of luxuries andinvestment opportunities.

Workers, by contrast, need imme-diate money. - a pay packet that willget them to and from work eachday; keep food on the table; preventtheir power from being cut off andkeep the debt collectors at bay.

The workers’ annual bonuses aregreat - when they happen. But witha few hundred managers regularlygrabbing around 40% of the bonuspool, leaving tens of thousands ofworkers to share the remainder, theworkers know before they start thatno matter how hard they work,their bonuses won’t come close tosolving their survival needs.

“We sometimes hear managementsay to workers: ‘If you can’t comeout, you must tighten your belts’,”says Steve Harris, general secretaryof UTATU SARWHU.“That kindof statement is as ill-informed as itis heartless.

“Workers’ high increase demandshave nothing to do with greed. Let’slook at the inescapable assaults onthe average wage: electricity costs(few workers can reduce their elec-tricity costs – for much of each yearthey leave home in the dark andreturn in the dark), transport costs(whether by car or public trans-port), escalating medical costs andthe impact of inflation on basicfood costs.

“The costs I have just mentioneddo not take into account otheressentials such as clothing, rent orbond payments, family educationand saving for hard times andretirement. Seen against this back-drop, one can see that pay increaseslinked to the CPI cannot comeclose to resolving the workforce’ssurvival struggle.

“The recent strike by our busdriver members bears out this argu-ment. Despite their skills, despitethe key role they play in a transportchain of great value to the nationaleconomy, those drivers were beingpaid only R6 000 a month.Theywere asking for an 18% pay risebecause they knew that an increasein the 10% range would not enablethem to meet their living costs.They ended up with an interim 9%salary adjustment.They are going tohave to keep pressing for more sim-ply because they need the addition-al money to keep body and soultogether and to get to work eachmorning.

“The bottom line is that mostworkers are doing all they can to

Transnet Security Staff at the Carlton Centre are all smilesduring a UTATU SARWHU branch meeting.

All smiles

contain costs.And they are doingthat in ways that are harmful totheir health and morale and to theiremployers’ best long-term interests.

“The other bottom line is thatthese problems should be concern-ing management as much as theyconcern their workers.

“Management’s aim should be tohave a healthy, capable workforcethat wakes up each morning want-ing to give of its best to its employ-er.With thousands of lower-paidTransnet workers dependent onhealth-draining overtime to makeends meet; dispirited because they(or their family members) have tospend countless hours sitting aroundState hospitals and receiving inade-quate treatment because they can nolonger afford even their medicalaid’s most basic health care package,employers are still a long way fromachieving that ideal.

“The solution to the problem isthree-pronged: if there has to be belt-tightening it should be done equi-tably; the gap between managementand worker rewards needs to elimi-nated - or at least markedly narrowed- and management and labour needto get together to find better ways ofrewarding workers and making themfeel that they matter.

Getting the remunerationratio right“In sharp contrast to the SouthAfrican constitution which declaresthat all people are equal,Transnethas fashioned a system of produc-tivity awards that declares all of itsworkers unequal. For as long as thatreward inequality is allowed toremain, the majority of Transnet’sworkers will be turned off by thebonus system which is designed toturn them on.

“Managers frequently tell us thatin a competitive market Transnethas to pay its managers high salariesand bonuses in order to attract andretain their skills. If that is the case,why does Transnet not apply thesame philosophy to attracting andretaining its technical people? Whydoes it continuously fail to stem itsskills drain? Why does it allow itselfto keep losing people in whom ithas invested huge training costs?

“Some sceptics argue that the

minds of the self-help club thatmake Transnet’s remuneration deci-sions cannot stretch that far. It isimportant that Transnet proves itscritics wrong in this regard.And itis equally important for it to findequitable ways of smoothing thebonus resentments it has created.

“A similarly pressing Transnet needis for it to devise fairer criteria fordetermining its productivity bonuses.At present, just as workers’ living costsare being dictated by forces beyondtheir control, so are the criteria thatdetermine their chances of receivinga productivity bonus at the end of theyear.The 2012/13 financial year sup-ports this argument.

“As I write, the word from man-agement is that the company is notgoing to achieve its targets . . . thatworkers must lower their bonusexpectations. How fair would thatscenario be? All indications are thatTransnet and its workers have beenmore efficient and productive thisyear than ever before; that failing toachieve target will be the result oftwo factors:

Excessive targetingExternal influences beyond thecompany’s control

“Transnet can be excused for try-ing to achieve more through artfullydangled carrots. But it cannot beexcused for adopting measures thatare unfair to the workforce andwhich discredit its incentive scheme.

“Similarly, neither Transnet nor itsworkers deserve to be heldaccountable for the unpredictabledents in the company’s earningscaused by the coal producers hold-ing back their exports to avoid lowcoal prices, by lost production onthe Sishen-Saldanha line caused bystrikes in the iron ore industry, orby the negative impact on con-tainerisation caused by the econom-ic downturn in Europe.

“Having made progress towardswinning worker trust over the pastyear, it is important that Transnetbears these factors in mind whenassessing its productivity bonuses.The de facto effort that enabled thecompany to continue performingwell in difficult circumstancesdeserves appropriate recognition.”

See Comment on page two. �

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10 Labour Report Winter 2013

UTATU SARWHU DIRECTORYArea 1 – Kwazulu-NatalPOSITION NAME TEL CELL/HOME FAX E-MAILChairman John Short 031 361 6164 071 481 6975 031 361 4870 john@utatu.comVice-Chairman Rodney Blom 031 361 8189 082 893 1224 086 543 7660 Rodney@utatusarwhu.comSecretary Jabulile Madonsela 035 905 3807 083 365 4621 035 905 3181 Jabulile.Madonsela@transnet.netChairman F.E Mabaso – 078 738 7296 036 271 2332 sarwhuncs@transnet.netDeputy Chairman SM Mazibuko 036 271 2111 076 467 9121 –Secretary TA Jwara 031 361 5300 083 426 0684 031 361 5184 tammi.jwara@transnet.netTreasurer S Nsibande – – – –Gender Coordinator NL Thwala 034 328 7235 072 536 5798 – thembeka.thwala@transnet.net

POSITION NAME TEL FAX E-MAIL CELLDurban Chairman W.T Bophela – – – 083 457 0972

Secretary NC Ngcobo – – – 073 176 0763Durban Infra Chairman Linda Biljoen 031 361 4318 031 361 4107 Linda.Biljoen@transnet.net 071 322 7439

Secretary Raymond Johns 031 361 5730 031 361 4731 Pieter.Johns@transnet.net 083 468 6010Empangeni Chairman MC Sibiya 035 905 3779 – nkosinathi.sibiya@transnet.net 083 772 0013

Secretary BH Mtshali – – – 083 358 1766Ermelo Chairman Egbert Olivier 017 801 2266 – egbertolivier@vodamail.co.za 082 612 8519

Secretary Rinus Jansen van Rensburg 017 801 2217 017 801 2000 Danie.terblanche2@transnet.net 082 373 2521Ladysmith Chairman Bob Corringham 036 271 2036 036 271 2298 Bob.Corringham@transnet.net 083 387 8914

Secretary John Bain 036 271 2467 031 361 2298 John.bain@transnet.net 083 787 4207Ladysmith Chairman SD Zwane 036 271 2093 036 271 2332 – 082 723 4106

Secretary BB Mtshali – – – –PRASA Durban Chairman Rodney Blom 031 361 8189 086 543 7660 Rodney@utatusarwhu.com 082 893 1224

Secretary D Brand 031 361 7587 031 361 7798 mbrand@metrorail.co.za 083 501 2006New Castle Chairman NW Kubheka – – thembeka.thwala@transnet.net 079 418 3260

Secretary MS Nxumalo – – thwala.thembeka@gmail.com –Newcastle Chairman Willem van der Hyde 034 328 7202 034 328 7254 UtatuNcs@transnet.net 083 308 5375

Secretary Annolien Scholtz 034 328 7201 034 328 7242 Annolien.Scholtz@transnet.net 083 462 2844Pietermaritzburg Chairman VACANT

Secretary CL Holtzhausen 033 897 2460 033 897 2460 Charlesh@vodamail.co.za 082 336 2708Pietermaritzburg Chairman S Ndlovu 033 897 2723 033 897 2743 sibusiso.ndlovu@transnet.net 071 730 0558

Secretary M.P Zulu – 033 897 2003 – 083 795 7446Maritime Durban Chairman Steven Marais 031 361 3029 031 361 3028 Steven.marais@transnet.net 083 382 2083

Secretary Ram Naicker 031 361 3722 031 361 3864 – 083 378 6814Maritime Richards Bay Chairman Ashmerelda Dunn 035 905 3985 035 905 3189 Ashmerelda.Dunn@transnet.net 083 273 0985

Secretary Jabulile Madonsela 035 905 3807 035 905 3181 Jabulile.Madonsela@transnet.net 083 365 4621Richardsbay Chairman C Shongwe 035 905 3685 035 905 3509 clement.shongwe@transnet.net 078 672 5266

Secretary A Nzungana – – – 073 132 8952Richards Bay Chairman Carl Gibson 035 905 3227 035 905 3534 Carl.Gibson@transnet.net 083 504 6329

Secretary Walter Hattingh – –– Walter.Hattingh@gmail.com 083 547 3059TRE Durban Chairman Frank Heuer 031 361 4733 031 361 5702 Frank.Heuer@transnet.net 084 614 3916

Secretary VACANTTRE Traction Durban Chairman VACANT

Secretary VACANTTRE Richards Bay Chairman Zonke Cele 035 906 7372 035 906 7015 zonke@utatusarwhu.com 082 567 6637

Secretary TR Myeni 035 905 2062 – – 073 423 2733TRE Richards Bay Chairman BM Mdlaka – – – –

Secretary MT Simelane – – – –Umbilo Chairman Chris Kotze 031 361 7894 086 513 2098 Chris.kotze@telkomsa.net –

Secretary Andre Smit 031 361 4033 031 361 4033 – 083 439 7078Vryheid Chairman T.F Malumane – – thulanef@gmail.com 083 308 8416

Secretary O Nkopane – – nkopanej@yahoo.com 083 623 4405Vryheid Chairman VACANT

Secretary AM Ndwandwe 034 989 9376 034 989 9349 Alexander.Ndwandwe@transnet.net 083 710 4031Wentworth Chairman Reagan Govender 031 361 5346 031 361 4330 reagangovender13@gmail.com 072 690 0706

Secretary Shaun Balmogin 031 136 5346 031 361 4330 sbalmogin@gmail.com 081 462 8344Area 2 – East London – Port ElizabethPOSITION NAME TEL CELL/HOME FAX E-MAILChairman G Mtushe 041 507 5192 073 894 8180 – –Deputy Chairman TA Visani – 073 396 7473 – albert.visani@transnet.netSecretary T Xotyeni 041 507 5167 071 180 8333 051 407 5006 thoba.xotyeni@transnet.netTreasurer Luyanda Jacobs – – – –Gender Coordinator JN Njokweni 041 507 2034 076 335 3689 041 507 2014 noncedo.njokweni@transnet.netChairman Chris Greyvenstein 043 700 4317 083 558 4430 043 700 4216 Christian.greyvenstein@transnet.netVice-Chairman VACANTSecretary Rob Lottering 043 700 4233 083 409 8688 043 700 4575 bugle@mweb.co.za

POSITION NAME TEL FAX E-MAIL CELLBurgersdorp Chairman Christo Meyer 051 653 9231 051 653 9232/9205 – 082 412 5510

Secretary PH Wheeler 051 653 9219 051 653 9205 – 083 409 8689Cradock Chairman JR Erasmus 049 802 8224 049 842 1426 Basie.Pain@transnet.net 082 591 9826

Secretary ND du Preez – 048 801 8227 – 083 295 0307East London Chairman Chris Greyvenstein 043 700 4371 043 700 4344 Christian.greyvenstein@transnet.net 083 558 4430

Secretary Rob Lottering 043 700 4233 043 700 4575 bugle@mweb.co.za 083 409 8688East London Chairman ZW Jack 043 700 4350 043 700 4582 – 084 425 6039

Secretary T Slatsha 043 700 4573 043 700 4329 – 083 500 5317Mid Karoo Chairman B Faltein – – – 073 374 5041

Mossel Bay Chairman Marius Prinsloo 044 604 6236 044 604 6209 BepVoor@transnet.net 084 582 5932Secretary VACANT

Port Elizabeth Chairman F.J Mdyogolo 041 505 5204 – – 078 605 3617Secretary D Vingqi 041 507 2643 041 507 2645 – 082 950 6821

Port Elizabeth Chairman Wynand van Tonder 041 507 5204 041 368 2793 Wynand.vantonder@transnet.net 071 671 3523Secretary Edwin Godfrey 041 507 5167 041 507 5006 Edwin.godfrey@transnet.net 084 807 9351

Maritime East London Chairman Bill Hart 043 700 2237 086 630 7920 Bill.Hart@transnet.net 083 287 4234Secretary Keith Hoffmann 043 700 2068 043 700 2044 Keith.Hoffmann@transnet.net 072 154 8818

Maritime Port Elizabeth Chairman Albert Visani – – – 073 396 7473Secretary Lareece Volkwyn 041 507 1958 041 507 4869 Lareece.Volkwyn@transnet.net 083 961 2910

PRASA East London Chairman M Losi – – mangoliso.losi@prasa.om 083 315 7601Secretary Margaret Ndima 043 700 2118 – – 082 921 0790

TRE Swartkops Chairman J.L. Cyster 041 507 5191 041 507 5189 Julius.Cyster@transnet.net 083 565 2957Secretary Adriaan Grobler 041 507 5194 041 507 5224 Grobler9@yahoo.com 084 236 1902

TRE Uitenhage Chairman Clayten du Plessis 041 994 2288 041 994 2412 Clayten.duplessis@transnet.net 078 212 6211Secretary Malcolm Bubb 041 994 2341 041 994 2412 Malcolm.Bubb@transnet.net 083 952 4967

Queenstown Chairman Brian Hayes 045 808 2074 045 808 2003 – 084 406 9544Secretary Leon van Heerden 045 808 2022 045 808 2150 – 083 944 9385

Area 3 – Western CapePOSITION NAME TEL CELL/HOME FAX E-MAILChairman C Vermaak 021 507 2509 084 600 3304 – Vermaak007@telkomsa.netVice-Chairman H Smith 023 348 4262 071 363 3938 023 348 4260 Henk@breede.co.zaSecretary L Saul 022 703 2229 079 225 9168 – Lutwena.Saul@transnet.netChairman M Lamani 021 940 2036 083 897 4756 021 940 2899 sectionmanagersbellville@transnet.netDeputy Chairman L Bamba – 082 708 6264 – –Secretary L Gantsho 021 940 2036 078 368 5595 021 940 2899 –Treasurer L Gova 021 449 4288 078 556 1432 – –Gender Coordinator K Mpote – 079 061 1627 – –

POSITION NAME TEL FAX E-MAIL CELLBeaufort West Chairman Sakkie Janse van Vuuren – 023 449 2177 Jacques.JansevanVuuren@transnet.net 082 355 1166

Secretary Lillian van Niekerk – 023 449 2402 Lillianvanniekerk@gmail.com 082 870 3067Cape Town Chairman Danie Groenewald 021 940 2114 021 919 4211 djgroenewald@gmail.com 083 458 3726

Secretary George Warrington 021 940 2160 – George.warrington@transnet.net 083 411 4962Lions Head Chairman William Cook 021 449 3781 021 449 5524 William.cook@transnet.net 082 405 2198

Secretary Fabian Jooste 021 449 534 021 449 2104 fjooste@metrorail.co.za 074 835 4271PRASA Disa Chairman Jan Jordaan 021 449 2309 086 608 5184 jjordaan2@metrorail.co.za 083 709 1634

Secretary Simphiwe Rhelegushe 021 940 3316 – sira1@mtn.blackberry.com 071 006 6135PRASA Liesbeeck Chairman Connie Vermaak 021 507 2509 021 556 4018 Vermaak007@telkomsa.net 084 608 3304

Secretary Sandra Freeks – – sfreeks@metrorail.co.za 083 286 9327PRASA Tafelberg Chairman Owen Hudson 021 449 5532 021 449 2236 Utatu_to@metrorail.co.za 083 490 4049

Secretary John Scheepers 021 449 5879 – jscheepers@metrorail.co.za 072 923 1883Maritime Cape Town Chairman Trevor Wasserfall 021 449 2148 086 631 0348 Trevor.wasserfall@transnet.net 071 362 6219

Secretary Gwyn du Plessis 021 449 3657 021 449 6172 Gwyn.duplessis@transnet.net 071 861 9822Maritime Saldanha Chairman David van der Merwe 022 703 4312 022 703 4360 David.vandermerwe@transnet.net 072 841 1522

Secretary Ricardo van der Merwe 022 703 4714 – Ricardo.vandermerwe@transnet.net 078 497 8145Saldanha Orex Chairman Walter Smith 022 703 3467 – Walter.smith@transnet.net 074 143 4301

Secretary Lutwena Saul 022 703 2229 – Lutwena.Saul@transnet.net 079 225 9168TRE Cape Town Chairman Heinrich Laubscher 021 507 2966 – utatusrx@transnet.net 071 565 0303

Secretary TJ Capes – – utatusrx@transnet.net 072 064 1046Worcester Chairman Henk Smith 023 348 4262 023 348 4260 Henk@breede.co.za 071 363 3938

Secretary Leon Steyn 023 348 4218 023 348 4304 steyn@cwnet.co.za 083 293 7523Area 4– Free State

POSITION NAME TEL CELL/HOME FAX E-MAILChairman D Motshoeneng 051 408 2910 078 119 2650 051 408 2106 –Secretary T Mkhalipi 051 408 3173 073 553 9081 051 408 2121 –Deputy Chairman K Ramonnye 051 408 2823 083 240 2678 051 408 2823 kgosi.ramonnye@transnet.netTreasurer D Setlhare 056 268 2239 076 556 8796 056 268 2227 david.setlhare@gmail.comGender Coordinator D Morake 056 268 2239 084 624 3271 056 268 2227 dugsonm@yahoo.comChairman VACANTVice-Chairman Russell Veitch 051 408 2653 079 495 7203 – Russell.Veitch@transnet.netSecretary Marius Viljoen 051 408 3543 073 199 6363 – Marius.Viljoen@transnet.net

POSITION NAME TEL FAX E-MAIL CELLBethlehem Chairman Ally Nhlapo 058 302 2033 058 302 2085 ally.nhlapo@transnet.net 072 763 1459

Secretary Thabo Taaso 058 302 2160 058 302 2081 – 083 409 6572Bloemfontein Chairman Russell Veitch 051 408 2653 – Russell.Veitch@transnet.net 079 495 7203

Secretary Dennis Hiten 051 408 3615 – Dennis.Hiten@transnet.net –Free State Chairman Errol van Aardt 051 408 2269 086 647 5395 Errol.vanaardt@transnet.net 078 658 7199

Secretary Diamond Letlojane 016 970 5237 016 970 5288 Molefe.Letlojane@transnet.net 074 793 0569Kroonstad Chairman Douw Dreyer 011 978 2737 – douw@utatu.com 082 378 3130

Secretary Andries Kruger 056 268 2342 056 268 2145 – 083 451 7351Kroonstad Chairman Vusi Jwili 056 268 229 056 268 2227 vusijwili@yahoo.com 083 998 5023

TRE Bloemfontein Chairman E van Aardt 051 408 2269 – errol.vanaardt@transnet.net 079 072 2564Secretary LM Mokone 051 408 2058 051 408 2576 lefu.mokone@transnet.net 084 404 2401

TRE Bloemfontein Chairman Sakkie Reynecke – – Sakkie.reynecke@transnet.net –Secretary David Motshoeneng 051 408 2910 051 408 2106 David.motshoeneng@transnet.net 078 119 2650

Labour Report Winter 2013 11

UTATU SARWHU DIRECTORYArea 5 – Gauteng Central (Johannesburg)POSITION NAME TEL CELL/HOME FAX E-MAILChairman Hennie Stoltz 011 773 4900 083 709 1480 011 773 4744 hstoltz@prasa.comVice-Chairman Vacant – – – –Secretary PA Swart 011 773 4790 082 898 2440 011 902 8375 paswart@telkomsa.netChairman Francis C.L – 073 062 5288 – connors.francis@transnet.netDeputy Chairperson R Ndlovu – 083 463 7680 – sibongiseni.ndlovu2@transnet.netSecretary Vacant – – – –Treasurer CJ Mashamaite 016 420 6278 083 583 7527 – valozone303@mail.comGender Coordinator M Digopoleng – 071 383 6917 016 420 6986 macdonald.digopoleng@transnet.net

POSITION NAME TEL FAX E-MAIL CELLAutopax Chairman TN Dyantyi – – malandelwa@gmail.com 072 261 0859

Secretary T Cindi – – tshepolo@webmail.com 072 154 3176Bombela Chairman Kenneth Muthige – – Kenneth.Muthige@bombelaop.co.za 079 564 5252

Secretary Muntu Khumalo – – Muntu.Khumalo@bombelaop.com 073 164 3109Braamfontein Chairman Hennie Stoltz 011 773 4900 011 773 4744 hstoltz@prasa.com 083 709 1480

Secretary RS Ratshibaya 011 773 3370 – suzan.radzilani@gmail.com 082 927 5657Esselenpark Chairman Andre van Rooyen 011 929 2317 011 929 1225 andre.vanrooyen2@transnet.net 082 469 2390

Secretary Annalien Venter 011 929 1349 – Annalien.Venter@transnet.net 083 550 0084Esselenpark Secretary NP Mntambo 011 929 1274 011 929 1322 pretty.mntambo@transnet.net 071 853 8497Gauteng Chairman Francis Connors – – Leslie connors.francis@transnet.net 073 062 5288

Secretary Pamela Ncuru 011 960 2379 011 960 2068 Pamela.Ncuru@transnet.net 083 968 8635Germiston Chairman M Mabaso – – – 079 681 2601

Secretary ES Tshofela – – – 073 093 1116Germiston Chairman Ruphus Machoga – – Utatu.WheelsGermiston@transnet.net 072 818 5217

Secretary TV Nxumalo – – zenzin@iburst.co.za 083 282 0623Heidelberg Chairman PC Njowa 016 340 7227 011 820 2289 Peter.Njowa@transnet.net 083 399 9626

Secretary Willem Swarts 016 340 7212 016 340 7213 willem.swarts2@transnet.net 083 708 1051Isando Chairman Corrie Moller 011 570 7405 011 570 7466 Corrie.moller@transnet.net 083 457 8102

Secretary Desmond Nkhame 011 570 7170 – UtatuIsando/Elandsfontein@transnet.net 073 366 3382Kaserne Chairman MN Mathekga 011 330 6061 011 30 6920 – 072 799 7297

Secretary FJ de Koker 011 330 6061 011 330 6771 scott.dekoker@transnet.net 082 324 9169Kaserne Chairman MGC Molipa – – – 079 139 8616

Krugersdop Chairman RH Tjale – – cedric.modingoane@transnet.net 071 777 4497Secretary NI Mntambo – – – –

Krugersdorp Chairman Manuel Jardine 011 950 1271 011 950 1261 Utatukgr@transnet.net 073 237 6381Secretary Steven Coetzee 011 950 1271 011 950 1261 – 083 324 0556

Leeuhof Chairman Morne Rossouw 016 420 6246 016 420 6352 Morne.Rossouw@yahoo.com 084 504 0407Secretary Willem Deport 016 420 6246 – wcdella@gmail.com 082 897 0747

Leeuhof Chairman MP Marageni – – – 078 465 5880

PRASA Central Chairman PA Swart 011 773 4790 011 902 8375 paswart@prasa.com 082 898 2440Secretary CL Botha 011 773 4790 086 562 9828 Utatuwits@metrorail.co.za 083 276 8662

PRASA East Chairman Freddie Grobler 011 570 7011 011 570 8715 fgrobler@prasa.com 083 276 8715Secretary Freek Oberholster 011 365 7479 011 365 7434 – 083 276 8653

PRASA West Chairman Stephen van Winkel 011 278 2304 011 278 2304 utaturfr@metrorail.co.za 083 276 5863Secretary VACANT

Parktown Chairman Khadija Khan 011 584 0762 011 773 2588 Khadija.Khan@transnet.net 083 591 5474Secretary Kamo Kumalo 011 584 1120 – Dikamohelo.Kumalo@transnet.net 076 977 7178

Sasolburg Chairman MD Letlojane 016 970 5237 016 970 5288 molifi.letlojane@transnet.net 074 793 0569Secretary DP Mkhize – – molifi.letlojane@transnet.net –

Sentrarand Chairman ZC Khoza 011 960 2197 011 960 2068 – 076 265 1869Secretary VACANT

Springs Chairman Patience Begwa 011 365 7558 011 365 7544 – 083 517 3097Secretary Frans van Wyk 011 365 7361 011 365 7544 – 071 158 9524

Standerton Chairman Geert Buter 017 712 2831 017 712 1512 – 072 299 6682Secretary VACANT

TRE Germiston Chairman Bossie Boshoff 011 820 2716 – Bossie.Boshoff3@transnet.net 084 785 2827Secretary Wickus de Venter 011 820 2614 011 820 2142 wickus.vandeventer@transnet.net 082 489 9396

TRE Sentrarand Chairman Willem de Kock 011 960 2475 011 960 2475 Willem.dekock2@transnet.net 084 621 3947Secretary VACANT

Welgedacht Chairman R Dhlamini – – – 083 744 2124Secretary BJ Nala – – – 073 635 8269

Wits Chairman B Mgidi 011 330 8498 – – 072 797 5030Secretary C Leshaba 011 330 8149 – cain.leshaba@transnet.net 083 766 5894

Area 6 – Northern CapePOSITION NAME TEL CELL/HOME FAX E-MAILChairman Thomas L 053 7239234 076 6099110 022 7033424 lebogang.thomas@transnet.netDeputy Chairman P Sekao 053 8382324 078 7603479 053 838244 pulesekao@transnet.netSecretary S .Xesi 053 838 3277/3013 082 7850782 053 8383251 yardmaster@beaconsfieldTreasurer T Maranda 053 838 3170 073 613 6946 053 838 3160 theresia.maranda@transnet.netGender Coordinator Leeuw M 053 838 3277 – 053 838 3251 –Chairman Kobus Zara 053 838 3381 082 655 9058 053 838 3363 Jacobus.Zara@transnet.netSecretary JF van der Merwe 053 494 3226 083 378 8206 053 494 3223 –Vice-Secretary M Gouws 053 838 3140 – 053 838 3245 –

POSITION NAME TEL FAX E-MAIL CELLDe Aar Chairman P van der Westhuizen 053 632 8308 053 632 8216 – 073 317 6659

Secretary KD Eiman 053 632 8239 053 632 8237 – 073 626 1072Coligny Chairman VACANT

Secretary VACANTKimberley Chairman Kobus Zara 053 838 3381 053 838 3363 Jacobus.Zara@transnet.net 082 655 9058

Secretary JP Maree 053 838 3288 053 838 3237 – 083 284 5804Kimberley Chairman AB Content 053 838 3170 053-838 3169 – 073 4830034

Secretary E Besent 053 8383265 053 8383094 Eric.Besent@transnet.net 083 2942625Klerksdorp Chairman N Gcabashe 018 293 7652 018 293 7669 nhlanhla.gcabashe@transnet.net 083 389 3638

Secretary T Machewane – – – 073 3660251Mafikeng Chairman M Mokoena – 018 381 9295 – –

Secretary M Leburu – 018 381 9295 – 079 984 6081Mafikeng Chairman Collin Manca – – – 073 513 5905

Secretary Tumelo Motsepe 018 381 9250 018 381 9258 Mtp2my@ymail.com 072 754 7547Northern Cape Chairman Lebogang Thomas 022 703 3424 022 703 3422 – 076 609 9110

Secretary Songezo Joseph Xesi 053 838 3013 053 838 3251 Yardmasterkimberley@transnet.net 082 785 0782North West (Klerksdorp) Chairman AT Greeff 018 406 2047 018 462 1171 – 082 854 9606

Secretary HA Schoeman 018 406 2047 – – 082 790 6477Postmasburg Chairman JA Mostert 053 313 7241 053 313 7214 Johannes.Mostert@transnet.net 083 388 1569

Secretary DCR Swart 053 313 7262 053 313 7206 – 083 383 8379Sishen Chairman K Gaetsewe 053 313 7210 053 3137206 – 082 040 9903

Secretary D Seetelo 022 703 3425 022 703 2350 – 076 312 3850Sishen Chairman PFJ Mostert – – Sonmos@absamail.co.za 073 149 2224

Secretary AT de Jager – – - 073 619 5021Upington Chairman VACANT

Secretary M. Phillips – – Margorie.phillips068@gmail.co.za 082 821 7535Warrenton Chairman FP van der Merwe 053 494 3236 053 494 3223 fvdmerwe@vodamail.co.za 083 791 2563

Secretary JF van der Merwe 053 494 3236 053 494 3223 – 083 378 8206Warrenton Chairman M Kwenampe 053 4943236 053 4943223 molehabangwe.kwenampe@transnet.net 083 9478470

Secretary K Lithebe 053 838 2225 053 838 2248 – 073 268 6393Area 7 – Gauteng North (Pretoria)POSITION NAME TEL CELL/HOME FAX E-MAILChairman Pote Fourie 012 842 5090 083 283 7482 012 800 3678 Hendrik.fourie2@transnet.netVice-Chairman Owen Jones 012 842 5006 072 216 1490 012 842 5841 –Secretary VACANTLimpopo Regional Office BearersChairman S Matlala – 072 532 6699 – –Deputy Chairman TP Morotola 015 299 6371 073 953 9329 – –Secretary MS Mosebedi 015 299 6487 084 845 8919 011 774 9462 sonnyboy.mosebedi@transnet.netTreasurer MJ Mabitsela 014 718 8214 072 074 2599 014 718 8219 judith.mabitsela@transnet.netGender Coordinator D Ledwaba 014 718 8222 072 461 1240 – –Mpumalanga Regional Office Bearers Chairman S Leshabana 013 655 7823 083 559 9419 013 655 7849 steven.leshabana@transnet.netDeputy Chairman Musa Msibi 013 752 9307 072 672 5933 – –Secretary Khoza Vukosi 013 752 9236 072 376 8574 013 752 9416 vukosi.khoza@transnet.net Treasurer P.C Semata – 076 275 1464 – pc.semata@yahoo.comGender Coordinator Shabangu MS – 072 025 5148 – mxolisi.shabangu@webmail.co.zaRegional Office Bearers Chairman M.W Mogamisi 012 521 9452 082 569 8315 012 521 9497 mogamisim@webmail.co.zaDeputy Chairman L Morebudi 012 842 5490 072 717 9359 012 842 5553 leatile.morebudi@transnet.netSecretary J S Seathlolo 012 315 8237 078 442 4581 012 315 8279 s.seatlholo@yahoo.comTreasurer F Mmege – 073 142 3687 – fhulummege@webmail.co.zaGender Coordinator KNP Cwaba – 073 969 8285 – kaydeecwaba@rocketmail.com

POSITION NAME TEL FAX E-MAIL CELLKoedoespoort Chairman L Morebudi 012 842 5490 012 842 5553 leatile.morebudi@transnet.net 072 717 9359

Secretary C Moremi 012 842 5441 – constance.moremi@transnet.net 083 241 2713Komatipoort Chairman VACANT

Secretary JM Swartz 013 793 9979 013 793 8364 – 076 632 8955Limpopo Chairman Stephen Matlala – – – 072 532 6699

Secretary Sonnyboy Mosebedi 015 299 6487 011 774 9462 Sonnyboy.Mosebedi@transnet.net 084 845 8919Limpopo Central Chairman MM Moshomane 015 299 6360 015 299 6363 mmaserole.moshomane@transnet.net 083 269 7326

Secretary MM Mamabolo 015 299 6274 – – 073 113 4262

Limpopo East Secretary D Mushuana 015 308 8544 015 308 8271 – 072 762 8338Limpopo North Chairman S Matlala – – – 072 532 6699

Secretary SD Makhubele 015 299 6329 – – 073 276 1341Limpopo South Chairman NJ Kekana – – – 072 199 9446

Secretary SR Molekane – – – 083 2580859Lydenburg Chairman LGJ Potgieter 013 235 8201 086 630 5175 Leon.Potgieter2@transnet.net 076 661 6280

Secretary VACANTPRASA Pretoria Chairman Eddie Flavell 012 521 6232 012 521 6206 Utatu@prasa.com 083 554 8015

Secretary Colin Davidson 084 405 0584 – utatuscheiding@prasa.com 083 554 7887Mpumalanga Chairman Steven Leshabane 013 655 7823 013 655 7849 Steven.Leshabana@transnet.net 083 559 9419

Secretary Vukosi Khosa 013 752 9236 013 752 9416 vukosi.khoza@transnet.net 072 376 8574Musina Chairman Wikus du Toit 015 534 7214 015 534 7245 Jan.DuToit@transnet.net 083 380 9809

Secretary HP Janse van Vuuren 015 534 7209 – – 078 796 4660Nelspruit Chairman VACANT

Secretary Kallie Steenkamp 013 752 9481 013 752 9283 Kallie.Steenkamp@transnet.net 083 461 2969

UTATU SARWHU INFO GUIDE12 Labour Report Winter 2013

HiddennamecompetitionIn every issue of LabourReport, UTATU SARWHUpublishes the latest SAP/-employee numbers of tenmembers from the member-ship lists – drawn at random.

Each latest SAP/employeenumber appears somewherein the newspaper. If yours isone of the lucky latest SAP/-employee numbers publishedand you can find it, claimyour prize by writing to:

UTATU SARWHU HiddenName CompetitionPO Box 31100,Braamfontein, 2017

Give your name, latest SAP/-employee number and addressand you will be sent R100.

Voetplaatpark – Tel 039 681 3325

Transmed Call Centre: 0800 450 010

Housing: FNB Home Loans –0860 33 44 55

FNB Smart Bond – 0860 644 644

Transnet Pension/RetirementFund (Metropolitan Life) 011 774 5444

CCaallll CCeennttrreess ffoorr:: Transnet Second Defined Benefit

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Phone numbersto know

Area 7 – Gauteng North (Pretoria) ContinuedPOSITION NAME TEL FAX E-MAIL CELL

Phalaborwa Chairman VACANTSecretary CAA Jansen 015 781 9042 – – 072 822 7628

Pietersburg Chairman Hennie van der Hyde 015 308 8237 015 308 8201 hendrik.vanderhyde@transnet.net 083 599 9901Secretary AW Bade