Numsa welcomes Putco halting retrenchments

THE National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has welcomed the decision by public transport utility company Putco to stop the planned retrenchment of 214 workers.

In a statement, the union confirmed that it met with Putco management, where managing director Francois Pisapia stated that the company would not proceed with the planned retrenchments.

Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said Putco confirmed job rotation would stop on March

15, if all issues around scheduling of staff were finalised.

“As Numsa we have been vindicated. This is a victory for workers and their families. We made submissions during the section

189-A consultation to oppose retrenchments, because we felt the job cuts were unnecessary. There is ample evidence that Putco can save millions in revenue and retain jobs, simply by stopping mismanagement and wastage,” said Hlubi-Majola.

She said the union raised very sharply the issue of fake tickets, and the negative impact this had on Putco’s revenue.

“The bus company depends on an outdated ticketing system which has not been updated since 1947. We have noted that management has acknowledged that this is a fundamental weakness, and therefore, it will be taking concrete steps to update the ticketing system, in order to generate more revenue.”

Hlubi-Majola described job rotation as a burning issue for its members, stating it meant they worked reduced hours and earned less. She said Numsa would continue to engage management on this issue because it could save the company millions in revenue per annum.

“We are pleased that going forward, management has committed to reinstating full hours and full shifts. In our engagement with management, we have previously highlighted Putco's reliance on outsourcing as being part of the reason its costs are high.”

The union said instead of outsourcing maintenance work, Putco should employ internal skilled artisans. It also said the decision to withdraw retrenchments was the evidence that if companies engaged meaningfully with labour, jobs could be saved.

“Putco is an example of this and we hope that all companies will take heed of this example and engage organised labour in a constructive manner. It is possible to save jobs, but it requires all parties to adopt an open mind and a willingness to find solutions. We will continue, as Numsa, to fight for workers and their families and to do everything possible to secure their future.”