Tebogo Msimanga |
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) in the JC Bez region in Johannesburg welcomed the decision which was handed down through private arbitration, ordering Busmark 2000 to reinstate 82 workers who were unfairly dismissed in 2013. Busmark is a company which manufactures, maintains and services buses, and it has a factory in Randfontein.
NUMSA Regional Secretary J.C. Bez region, Oupa Ralake said in August 2013, their members participated in the National Motor strike which was a protected strike.
“ Busmark did not see it that way and it took disciplinary action against workers for participating in the strike. On the day of the disciplinary hearings in October 2013 management alleged that workers participated in another unprotected strike on the 22nd and 23rd of October because they were angry over the disciplinary hearings.”
Ralake said they appealed this decision at the Dispute Resolution Centre of the Motor Industries Bargaining Council (MIBCO) and the matter was resolved through private arbitration.
He added that Busmark has been ordered to reinstate their members into the positions they occupied at the date of their dismissals.
“They have also been ordered to pay our members an amount equivalent to four years’ salary. The order states that they shall report for duty on the 26th of May 2021, and the back pay awarded to them, shall be paid on or before that date.”
Ralake further said this is a victory for workers at Busmark and for the working class.
