At its meeting on Monday, 29 June 2020, the SEIFSA Council mandated SEIFSA to formally submit to the MEIBC a proposal that negotiations for the current cycle be deferred and that the terms and conditions of the collective Main Agreement concluded between the Parties for the period 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2020 be extended until 30 June 2021. Monday’s SEIFSA Council meeting followed a series of recent meetings held by SEIFSA’s Negotiating Team with industry trade unions and other employer bodies.
This proposal has since been submitted to the General Secretary of the Bargaining Council and shared with all of the industry trade unions. It will be tabled for discussion at a Bargaining Council Management Committee Meeting on Tuesday, 7 July 2020.
In the interim, there is a high probability that some member companies will receive requests from various trade unions to be granted access in order to brief their respective members. While we urge members to grant such access, subject to reasonable and necessary conditions to safeguard life or property or to prevent undue disruption of work, we would like to stress that any such report-back meetings must comply strictly with the measures introduced under the National Disaster Regulations to prevent and combat the speared of COVID-19. These include the prohibition of gatherings involving more than 50 persons, as well as the need to wear masks and observe the 1,5m social distance.
We will keep you informed on all developments relating to the extension of the current Main Agreement to 30 June 2021.
Meanwhile, member companies are encouraged to continue to observe the current terms and conditions of the Main Agreement, in good faith and in accordance with sound industrial relations practice.
Kaizer M. Nyatsumba
Chief Executive Officer