The SEIFSA IR/ LS Executive and IR/ LS Manager were involved in a number of important legal matters relating to representing member companies successfully at the Labour Court in interdicting unprotected strikes, opposing a number of appeal applications lodged by various trade unions against applications for exemption granted to members, launching review applications in the Labour Court when the independent Exemptions Appeal Board (IEAB) ruled against the member company and assisting and representing members in a number of company level matters relating to allegations of unfair treatment related to the newly introduced legal concept of equal pay for work of equal value.
industrial relations and legal services DIVISION Main Agreement Wage Increases and Wage Exemptions
T
he industry negotiated increases for the third-leg of the three year wage deal were published well in advance of the implementation date of 1 July
2016.
SEIFSA Management Briefs and Evites were circulated to the membership detailing the range of increases to be implemented and importantly, guidelines on applying for a wage exemption from the increases.
SECTION 37
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Staff of the Industrial Relations and Legal Services (IR/ LS) Division assisted many members in compiling the application and meeting with employees, their elected representatives and local trade union officials. Whilst the process of applying for an exemption from the industry wage increases remains arduous it is encouraging to note that on the whole, more applications were successfully granted than declined.
LEGAL SERVICES A year after the introduction of SEIFSA Legal Services to the membership and the subsequent merging of the Industrial Relations and Legal Services into one Division, it is pleasing to report that the service offering continues to grow from strength to strength. Not only is SEIFSA Legal Services proving to be an important new generator of income for the Federation, the potential for further growth and expansion remains positive.
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SEIFSA ANNUAL REVIEW 2016
Members will be painfully aware that the resolution of the strike in 2014 was delayed due to the unions and, in particularly, NUMSA insisting that section 37 should be removed from the Main Agreement.
A year after the introduction of SEIFSA Legal Services to the membership and the subsequent merging of the Industrial Relations and Legal Services into one Division, it is pleasing to report that the service offering continues to grow from strength to strength.
