Trade union Solidarity on Thursday stated that it is to take arms manufacturer Denel to the arbitration court on Friday.
The union stated that this comes after certain divisions of Denel failed to comply with a wage agreement negotiated earlier this year in the metal and engineering bargaining council.
Solidarity legal adviser AC van Wyk said this would be a case with great significance for organised labour in South Africa.
“Denel’s actions go against the Labour Relations Act, which is why we shall demand that they should be compelled to implement the wage agreement immediately, as required by law.”
Van Wyk added that the union’s case would deal with the enforceability of a collective agreement signed in a bargaining council.
“Denel refuses to comply with such an agreement, while they are in fact legally obliged to do so.”
Dissatisfied Denel employees took part in protest action at the arms manufacturer’s affiliates earlier this year.
According to Van Wyk it was the first time in 36 years that Denel employees had initiated protest action against the employer.
“We simply cannot allow Denel to disregard agreements reached earlier.”
In the meantime, Denel has asked the mediation council for exemption from the agreement.
Trade unions, however, have to agree to such an exemption, and Solidarity and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa have indicated that they oppose the exemption.
Attempts by I-Net Bridge to obtain a response from Denel were unsuccessful. — I-Net Bridge