Numsa
Numsa contempt application matter postponed
Numsa National Treasurer Mphumzi Maqungo said although applicants in the contempt matter wanted the union to suspend several activities, until the contempt...
Estranged Numsa second deputy president and others have taken the union to court for failing to adhere to an earlier order that barred the union from continuing with its national congress that was held last week in Cape Town.
Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim and president, Andrew Chirwa, are cited as respondents in the matter brought by its estranged second deputy president, Ruth Ntlokose, who was placed on an unlawful suspension that was lifted by the courts.
Wage negotiations collapsed on Thursday, after two days of deliberations between the union and employers in the sector, including the Retail Motor Industry and the Fuel Retailers’ Association.
The union met with several employers in the industry on Wednesday, including the retail motor industries and the fuel retail association, on the second day of mediation between the parties.
The Western Cape region was among those defying orders of the office bearers after they staged a walk-out in defiance of the national congress late last month that was allowed to continue by Numsa.
They said the suspension of members by its leaders and the ongoing labour court dispute illustrate the problems faced at the union.
What should have been an occasion to report on organisational, socio-economic, international and political work undertaken since the 10th National Congress held in 2016 became a farcical spectacle that would go down in the history of the labour movement in South Africa as the most destructive, harmful, detrimental and damaging union activity.
The Labour Court dismissed the union's application for leave to appeal against an earlier interdict.
An earlier Labour Court ruling shut the door on an appeal against an earlier interdict.
Last week Judge Graham Moshoana granted the union's aggrieved leaders and members an urgent application to stop the election of new national leadership.
Making arguments in the leave to appeal hearing - which was heard on an urgent basis – they said the union had not actioned any of the remedies provided for in the Labour Court’s order, which ruled the congress could not continue until it was constitutionally compliant.
On Wednesday night, delegates at the event - which is viewed by some as taking place in contempt of a court interdict - nominated long-standing general secretary Irvin Jim and others unopposed.
Numsa, which has cash flow problems due to a variety of reasons, sponsored flights for over 1,000 delegates to the Mother City for its eleventh congress - going against its own resolution to spend moderate amounts on such gatherings.
This as the leaders battle to diffuse tensions which came to a head at the gathering that has been delayed amid a myriad of challenges.
They say the gathering is in contempt of court and leaders have not been transparent about the union's finances.
However, it remained to be seen whether this renewed attempt to constitute the highest decision-making structure of the union would succeed as it also faced a threat of being interdicted again.
The decision was reached during a special central committee meeting of the union which concluded a short while ago.