Labour warns of trouble if concessioning goes ahead

ALAN PEAT
THE MAIN harbour workers union has rejected recent statements from the Department of Public Enterprises that concessioning at the SA ports is to go ahead - with threats of serious labour unrest if this does happen without their approval.
This follows public statements that the department had again approved the concessioning of selected port operations - with bids from foreign companies to be included.
“But we’re getting different signals from different people in the department,” Jane Barrett, policy officer of the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu), told FTW.
And, she added, no decision has been officially communicated to them.
“So, as far as we’re concerned, there is no concessioning on the table.
“If there is, there will be a major dispute.”
The problem is that Satawu was promised by government that no decision would be finally made before two-way discussions under the National Framework Agreement were completed - with the union adamantly against any privatisation at the ports.
Sapo should remain in control, said Barrett, even if there is private sector involvement in the operational entities.
The meetings have stalled since last November, when government agreed that a task team should be established to look at all the various options.
“But they have never implemented this plan to establish the task team,” said Barrett. “Even although we have been trying for the last three months to get this underway, just nothing has happened.”
And, until this process is complete, she added, there can be no go-ahead for concessioning. If this does happen, then labour trouble is sure to follow.