New shift system results in worker’s death

New shift system results in worker’s deathJenny Grice

It took the death of a fellow worker at Lear Corporation to unite workers to force management to provide transport to shift workers. Vivian Makhubela was shot walking home after completing her 10pm shift at the factory. She died five days later in hospital from her injuries.

There had always been just one shift at Lear Corporation – 7am to 4pm. But management wanted to introduce a new shift. In 2007, they put two different proposals.

The first proposal was that workers should work 6am to 6pm with the second shift from 6pm to 6am. The second proposal was to work from 6am until 2pm and then the second shift from 2pm until 10pm.Workers were divided.

Many hated the idea of the long 12 hour shifts. Others feared the dangers and the costs of finishing work after 10pm or early in the morning. Shop stewards put the matter to a vote and the majority of workers agreed to the second proposal.

The shop stewards took this proposal to management but failed to find a solution to the transport issue. “After about two weeks of the implementation of the new shift system,” says Sekome Tshoga, Rosslyn local organiser, “we were inundated with complaints from workers about the safety risks they were facing.”“Some workers stay as far as Maboloka, Mamelodi, Hammanskraal, Atteridgeville.

There was often no public transport and some were forced to hire taxis and pay as much as R300 per trip!” Even those that lived close and could use public transport, still had to walk a few kilometers from where they were dropped.

A meeting with shop stewards was convened. The committee was divided over the proposal to put to workers. Some favoured pushing the company to pay for transport (or pay half) for those knocking off at 10pm and those arriving at 6am.

If this proposal failed, the last resort was to agree to a 6pm to 6am shift.At the general meeting, divisions amongst workers and shop stewards continued. “As a result, we decided to withdraw and leave the matter unresolved.

The two shifts continued until Makhubela was shot on her way home.”After Makhubela’s death, Numsa approached the company to demand:* transport to ferry employees to her funeral* the company pay for her funeral * the company adopt her only son up to tertiary level* the company provide transport for all shift workers including labour broker workers.

The company refused to agree to demand three and four. Numsa has now declared a dispute of interest. If conciliation fails, “workers will go out on a protected strike.

This time they are united behind the demands but at the cost of Makhubela’s life,” says Tshoga.

Is it 2009 or 1999?Fifteen years into democracy, we still see union bashing companies say Mirriam Mochochoko and Joey Mogapi

There are companies out there who are still treating workers like slaves, who put workers in cages like animals. We still have companies that do not recognize workers’ rights, human rights, the constitution of the country and labour legislation.

A company in Eastern Cape employs a majority of women who experience harassment by top management. So far 4 shop stewards and 50 workers have been dismissed. These workers are working under stress with no job security.

In KZN, a family owned company does not give access to union officials. On two occasions it has set dogs on organizers; workers are paid far below the Bargaining Council minimums. Shop stewards are always dismissed for misconduct.

This company does not recognize doctors’ certificates; there is no paid sick leave. Issues of health and safety of the workers are not dealt with. One worker lost his leg in July 2009 and the other one died when a container full of nails fell upon him in October 2009.

This worker was employed by a labour broker. In the Western Cape, a company continuously challenges awards in favour of the workers and this frustrates workers. Workers have had to embark on protest and strike action to force the employer to adhere to agreements.

In Hlanganani four workers died because of industrial accidents. A worker was smashed by a trailer and while he was lying on the floor dead, workers were forced to continue with their normal work.

In Northern Cape, during the recent Numsa recruitment campaign, volunteers discovered that the company operates from a warehouse and only pays the workers R2.94 per hour (minimum) and R3.54 per hour (maximum).

The company is not registered under MEIBC and no deductions are made from workers’ wages. This suggests that workers do not have benefits such as maternity, provident fund, UIF.

Workers are locked inside the factory from 07h30 to 18h30 and there is no fire exit.In Wits Central West a company keeps on charging, suspending and dismissing shop stewards. Now workers do not want to become shop stewards.

The company is now charging and dismissing workers as well. This company introduced a three shift pattern, the union intervened and the company agreed to provide transport.

The company decided to withdraw transport so all workers reported for a day shift. The company chased away all workers. Workers resorted to an unprotected strike and the company suspended Numsa workers without pay.

In another factory in Spartan, a shop steward was victimized in front of his comrades by his two employers. The problem started when the victim and other workers in his department joined the minority Numsa members and so became the majority.

Victimization became worse when inspectors sent by the local office pitched at their company unexpectedly.Workers later laid grievance charges at their local and the case is still on.

“This should be a lesson to every worker,” say the victimised workers. “Our employers proved to us what kind of people they are and they want their way not our way.

Although we are new in this field, we must learn to support each other and we must not allow victimization to happen to any of us again.

We call ourselves comrades, we are together in everything we do. Stay strong comrades and stick together, we will conquer.â€

Source

Numsa News