Truckers threaten countrywide strike
Truckers who spoke to Namibian Sun on condition of anonymity said they are threatened that they will lose their jobs and have been called into several meetings for their involvement in union affairs.
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
The Namibian Revolutionary Transport Union (Naretu) has given government and the Namibia Employers Federation (NEF) until 26 February to implore local trucking companies to stop victimising truckers who have joined the union.
The union has also threatened that truckers will go on a countrywide strike should companies not recognise its existence.
According to the union’s commander in chief Petersen Kambinda, several trucking companies are denying their workers their right to join and recruit members for the union and have so far allegedly fired 200 truck drivers because of this.
He said they have 134 members out of the 184 employees at Snyman Transport, which exceeds the required 50+1 for exclusive bargaining, but the company has allegedly refused to recognise the union’s existence.
“When Snyman realised he’s got no other escape, he decided to go on a firing spree of our members, yet we continued recruiting and our membership in the company is still undisputed. They are now even hiring leal experts just to deny recognising the union,” Kambinda said.
‘Sheer lies’
Snyman Transport’s Sakkie Snyman condemned the allegations in the strongest terms, calling them ‘sheer lies’, and pointed out that no one at the company was unfairly dismissed or victimised because of their involvement with the union.
The company is expected to meet the union at the labour ministry to talk about these allegations and disputes tomorrow while he has given Naretu until Sunday, 20 February, to withdraw their allegations.
“Nobody will be released if the correct procedures have not been followed. We have rules and regulations in place here. They also accused me of racism, and I can tell you we don’t care if you are black or white, if you do not adhere to company policies, then there is no place for you here.
“We only brought in a labour consultant; we are not changing lawyers every time. What will happen here is that one morning I will just come and close down this place and then all these 184 people will be without a job,” he said.
Threatened
Naretu further alleged that some other trucking companies are victimising workers and delaying the signing of recognition agreements. He said some have dismissed workers so that the union does not have the majority any more.
Truckers who spoke to Namibian Sun on condition of anonymity said they are threatened that they will lose their jobs and have been called into several meetings for their involvement in union affairs.
Not our business
Meanwhile, the NEF has issued a statement on LinkedIn in which its secretary-general Daan Strauss said Snyman Transport is not a member of the federation.
However, given the serious nature of the claims, it has undertaken to engage the Logistics Association and Federation and the individual companies accused of wrongdoing.
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
The Namibian Revolutionary Transport Union (Naretu) has given government and the Namibia Employers Federation (NEF) until 26 February to implore local trucking companies to stop victimising truckers who have joined the union.
The union has also threatened that truckers will go on a countrywide strike should companies not recognise its existence.
According to the union’s commander in chief Petersen Kambinda, several trucking companies are denying their workers their right to join and recruit members for the union and have so far allegedly fired 200 truck drivers because of this.
He said they have 134 members out of the 184 employees at Snyman Transport, which exceeds the required 50+1 for exclusive bargaining, but the company has allegedly refused to recognise the union’s existence.
“When Snyman realised he’s got no other escape, he decided to go on a firing spree of our members, yet we continued recruiting and our membership in the company is still undisputed. They are now even hiring leal experts just to deny recognising the union,” Kambinda said.
‘Sheer lies’
Snyman Transport’s Sakkie Snyman condemned the allegations in the strongest terms, calling them ‘sheer lies’, and pointed out that no one at the company was unfairly dismissed or victimised because of their involvement with the union.
The company is expected to meet the union at the labour ministry to talk about these allegations and disputes tomorrow while he has given Naretu until Sunday, 20 February, to withdraw their allegations.
“Nobody will be released if the correct procedures have not been followed. We have rules and regulations in place here. They also accused me of racism, and I can tell you we don’t care if you are black or white, if you do not adhere to company policies, then there is no place for you here.
“We only brought in a labour consultant; we are not changing lawyers every time. What will happen here is that one morning I will just come and close down this place and then all these 184 people will be without a job,” he said.
Threatened
Naretu further alleged that some other trucking companies are victimising workers and delaying the signing of recognition agreements. He said some have dismissed workers so that the union does not have the majority any more.
Truckers who spoke to Namibian Sun on condition of anonymity said they are threatened that they will lose their jobs and have been called into several meetings for their involvement in union affairs.
Not our business
Meanwhile, the NEF has issued a statement on LinkedIn in which its secretary-general Daan Strauss said Snyman Transport is not a member of the federation.
However, given the serious nature of the claims, it has undertaken to engage the Logistics Association and Federation and the individual companies accused of wrongdoing.
[email protected]
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