A recent protected strike by workers from Servest at Stellenbosch University, was around the issue of worker union recognition, said Martin Viljoen, spokesperson of Stellenbosch University.
“We are seeking organisational rights, […] Servest is refusing to give such rights,” said Themba Ncedo, an official of the Independent Commercial Hospitality and Allied Workers Union (ICHAWU).
These organisational rights include Servest recognising the ICHAWU a workers union so that it can negotiate on the members’ behalf and so that the membership fees can be deducted from the workers’ pay, said Ncedo.
Keanen Smit and Milisizwe Royi, Servest employees, protested against their employer to grant Independent Commercial Hospitality and Allied Workers Union (ICHAWU) organisational rights. They did this so that ICHAWU can negotiate with Servest, the employer of cleaning and landscaping staff at Stellenbosch University, on behalf of their members. “I do not think the wage we currently earn here is a living wage,” said Smit. PHOTO: Rachel Jonker
Meanwhile, Viljoen explained that a workers union gains organisational rights if it achieves certain levels of representativity within the workforce at a workplace. Servest views its nationwide operations as the workplace, whereas the striking workers view SU as the workplace.
“We believe that Stellenbosch is the workplace of these employees,” said Ncedo. “If tomorrow [Servest] loses this tender [with SU], they are not going to take away these employees; whoever is going to take over, is going to keep those employees. So, we don’t know why they do not want to give us rights to represent those workers.”
The protestors were adamant about having representation in their union of choice because they wanted their union to negotiate better packages for them, according to Keanen Smit, shop steward at Servest. “I do not think the wage we currently earn here is a living wage,” said Smit.
Smit claimed that Servest workers at SU earn a salary of R6 500 and that it barely lasts half a month.
An ongoing dispute
The strike on 29 and 30 August followed unsuccessful mediation attempts between the ICHAWU and Servest, said Viljoen.
The dispute has been ongoing for some time, and has previously gone to the commission for conciliation, mediation, and arbitration (CCMA), claimed Ncedo. SMF News has reported on the strikes in the past.
Members of Independent Commercial Hospitality and Allied Workers Union (ICHAWU) partook in a protected strike at Stellenbosch University (SU) against Servest, their employer, for allegedly denying their right to join a union of their choosing, according to Themba Ncedo, ICHAWU official. VIDEO: Rachel Jonker
“Servest remains open to the possibility of resolving the dispute, negotiating in good faith for a prompt and amicable resolution; and engaging constructively with all parties involved,” said Paul van Rooyen, Servest’s spokesperson.
Resolving this dispute quickly is crucial for preserving jobs for the benefit of the employees, according to Van Rooyen.
The issue of representation
Many of ICHAWU’s members joined from a union that was recognised by Servest, claimed Ncedo.
“Our members have resigned from [the previous, recognised union] a long time ago, but they are still deducting union fees for [that union], and we’ve been following up on that now,” he claimed.
Themba Ncedo, an Independent Commercial Hospitality and Allied Workers Union (ICHAWU) official, said that Servest is denying ICHAWU members their rights to belong to a union. AUDIO: Rachel Jonker
“We are hoping that [SU] would intervene and try to mediate between [Servest and ICHAWU] to find a resolution, but we have not seen that happening,” said Ncedo.