Labour Court declares Coega strike illegal

LOSSES were incurred on both sides during the Coega harbour strike.

The three-month strike at the Ngqura Container Terminal ended yesterday when the Port Elizabeth Labour Court declared it to be illegal and unprotected.

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) was ordered by the court to pay Transnet's legal costs.

Not only had the 138 temporary employees who embarked on the industrial action on April 25 lost the opportunity of permanent employment at the terminal, but the remaining full-time striking employees, who did not show up for work would face a disciplinary process resulting in possible dismissal.

For three months, the company had to make contingency plans to minimise the impact of the strike on port operations.

Transnet Port Terminals Eastern Cape operations general manager Siyabulela Mhlaluka said the strike had no negative impact on customers at the harbour due to various interventions.

He said the striking employees also suffered a loss of income over the protracted strike period.

The most damaging part of the strike, however, was the acts of violence and intimidation experienced by non-striking employees, Transnet chief executive Brian Molefe said.

"At one stage, we made an assessment and realised it was a matter of time before there was a loss of life. I was never intimidated personally but I was concerned about keeping the personnel safe.

"We realised it was possible for a union with a small representation to coax people into taking part in a strike they did not necessarily agree with."

Molefe said the company had learnt to tighten contingency measures as a result of the strike. He remained of the opinion the strike had nothing to do with any real labour issues, but that it was politically motivated.

"All the issues Numsa raised had been addressed by the time the union called the strike," Molefe said.

Numsa regional secretary Phumzile Nodongwe had previously denied the strike was politically motivated.

Nodongwe distanced the union from the acts of violence.

The suspects arrested for the acts of intimidation and violence were all granted bail and the court cases against them are ongoing. - Cindy Preller