In Good Faith
CARMEL RICKARD: Facing the consequences
If steps were not taken, anarchy and mayhem could become the new normal in SA industrial action. That was the warning last week by labour court judge Edwin Tlhotlhalemaje, when he considered the behaviour of NUM members employed by Betafence SA.His concerns come from an alarming number of strikes characterised by violence and a growing tendency by employees to ignore court orders.One particular case exemplifies the problem, and shows the court crafting a new way of dealing with it.The Betafence strike began on April 7 this year. On April 12, when the employer went to court, an order was issued by agreement of the parties: the strike would stop immediately and work would start again. But three days later Betafence was back in court. The strike had continued. This time the court ordered the NUM to explain why it and its members should not be found in contempt.Tlhotlhalemaje’s judgment finalising the matter included some refreshingly plain language. Leaving aside the issues that lay be...
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