Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant
Trade union Solidarity has called on Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant to urgently intervene in the matters of the ailing Bargaining Council for the Metal and Engineering Industry (MEIBC).
This was owing to the ongoing financial crisis facing the bargaining council, as well as the inability of parties in the council to reach an agreement on a number of issues.
Solidarity deputy general secretary for the metal and engineering industry Marius Croucamp said the MEIBC’s financial position had lately deteriorated to such an extent that the council had been unable to fulfil its dispute resolution function for some time.
“The reality is that the MEIBC will have to finally dissolve within three months if the parties in question cannot agree on the expansion and increase of the administration and dispute resolution levy agreements at the next management committee meeting,” he said.
Croucamp added that the current agreement expired on June 1, after which the MEIBC would be without its sole source of income.
He further pointed out that the only way to ensure the future of the MEIBC would be to facilitate the conflict between the parties at the highest level and to reach consensus on the way forward.
“Urgent high-level deliberation on the MEIBC’s finances is essential and urgent steps need to be taken to improve the administration and management of the bargaining council. This is crucial to ensure the future of the council,” he noted.
Croucamp explained that the MEIBC played a vital role in the metal and engineering industry and, if it ceased to exist, there would be many negative consequences for the industry.
“The MEIBC regulates several key labour issues under a main agreement, the contents of which are renegotiated yearly by the various parties in the industry. Included are issues such as hours of work, wages, changes to basic conditions of employment and dispute resolution.
“Should the bargaining council dissolve, it could lead to widespread strikes and labour unrest in the industry,” Croucamp warned.