Striking workers protest against concessioning

Terry Hutson A GROUP of port workers marched on the offices of South African Port Operations (Sapo) last week to register their protest against the planned concessioning of the Durban container terminal. The workers, all members of the South African Transport & Allied Workers Union (Satawu) said the intention was to protest to Sapo management about government’s intention of unilaterally concessioning Sapo terminals to private operators. They delivered a memorandum saying that Satawu believed Minister Radebe and his Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) were putting the future economic and employment viability of the ports at risk by rushing ahead with its plans, “even though there had been no thorough analysis of the needs of the ports and no proper consultation with organised labour. “We do not accept an approach that says ‘take it or leave it’ and we demand proper negotiations and a full review of the needs of our ports.” The issues on Satawu’s agenda with government include a full review of claims and counter claims over inefficiencies in port operations as well as an analysis of investment needs and the role of local business, in particular BEE companies. Additionally Satawu wants job security guarantees, saying that a job guarantee for a 50 year old worker for three years is hardly adequate because it offers no prospect of alternative employment at the end of three years. “In any event there are already job losses on the table within Sapo. Satawu is currently in dispute with Sapo management in Durban over the proposed retrenchment of 361 workers in the Multi-Purpose Terminal and sees this as part of the preparation for privatisation.” Satawu has called for a speedy establishment of the agreed National Dock Labour Scheme and the ratification by government of international labour standards in terms of ILO Conventions. Durban port workers planned to protest last Tuesday (May 13), one day after the transport sector of the National Framework Agreement (NFA) was due to meet with government on the issue of port restructuring. Workers intend marching on government offices tomorrow (Saturday, May 17). Satawu said it hoped that government would agree to the union’s demand for proper consultation. Shop stewards at the port of Cape Town met last week to finalise plans for protest action in Cape Town.