Engineering News reports that trade union Solidarity has succeeded in its application to have the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC) placed under administration.
The first of its kind in the country, Solidarity deputy general secretary Marius Croucamp welcomed the judgment by Judge Sean Snyman, noting that it was a necessary step to ensure the MEIBC was “rescued from going under”. The union believes the court order would “dramatically” change the landscape in the steel and engineering industry, with the appointment of an administrator ensuring that the MEIBC would not regress further. Snyman noted that the MEIBC had fallen into financial disarray owing to maladministration, including the failure to submit yearly financial statements, failure to finalise its statements, no permanent financial manager being employed, non-disclosure of essential information by the MEIBC GM and the misappropriation of funds. He also raised concerns over MEIBC’s ongoing funding of the Dispute Resolution Centre (DRC), as its dispute resolution functions “have all but collapsed”. The Department of Labour, the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) and employers’ organisations have agreed to the court order.
- Read this report in full at Engineering News
- Read Solidarity’s press statement in this regard at Solidarity online
