FEDUSA Congratulates UNTU with PRASA Labour Court Victory

27 January 2023

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) congratulates United National Transport Union (UNTU) on their victory after the Labour court ruled in their favour and ordered the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) to honour obligations to the 2020 salary/wage settlement agreement.

 

PRASA will need to make payment for each UNTU member, a 5% wage increase in terms of the Wage Agreement concluded on 23 October 2020 with effect from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.

 

The two-year-long battle to get UNTU members that is due to them has finally paid off, but the war is far from over. However, FEDUSA would like to thank UNTU for their determination to fight until the very last end.

It is disappointing that UNTU had to go to lengths in their fight for an agreement that was not honoured by PRASA. Therefore, FEDUSA calls on PRASA to accept the Labour Court’s judgment and implement it accordingly.

 

 

For interviews please contact:

 

For Media enquiries

Betty Moleya

0613961841

 

Ms Riefdah Ajam

FEDUSA General Secretary

079 696 2625

 

Mr Ashley Benjamin

FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary

0832584433

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MATRIC CLASS OF 2022!

20 January 2023

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) congratulates the Matric Class of 2022 for achieving a pass rate of 80.1 % in the National Senior Certificate (NSC).

 

FEDUSA again congratulates the Free State province for once again topping the charts, with a 88.5% matric pass rate. The federation commends the class of 2022 for their resilience and making it to the end of their schooling journey against all odds. We acknowledge the challenges faced by learners over the past three years, with major disruptions brought on by the   covid19 pandemic. They had to adapt to online learning and rotational classes.

 

They were also greatly affected by the consistent electricity blackouts “load shedding” and service delivery protests in some areas. Despites the difficulties, all provinces have shown improvements in the 2022 Matric outcomes. FEDUSA also recognizes the fact that the Kwa Zulu-Natal class of 2022 overcame insurmountable difficulties after some schools were flooded and homes washed away in the province over the past year. They have showed resilience, dedication and determination and we congratulate them on coming third on overall best performing province in the examinations with 83% matric pass rate and recording the most notable improvement.

 

We call on the candidates who sat for the 2022 NSC exams and did not perform well to not lose hope. There are opportunities that one can explore to improve their results. There are many chances to go back to school and do well. Most importantly seek help if you are feeling overwhelmed and not coping well emotionally.

 

In conclusion FEDUSA would like to thank the principals, teachers, support staff, parents, and the Department of Education on the work invested to produce the results being celebrated today.

 

For Media enquiries

Betty Moleya

0613961841

 

Mr Ashley Benjamin

FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary

0832584433

FEDUSA rejects Eskom tariff increases

13 January 2023

 

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is enraged by the decision of the National Energy Regulator’s (NERSA) to grant Eskom tariff increases of 18.65% and 12.74% over the next two year.

NERSA’s approval of the electricity tariff increases will spell a devastating reality for the poor and working class as this means prices of basic goods and other necessary items will hike and cost of living will spiral. The increase will see many South Africans struggling to survive.

 

It is inconsiderate for NERSA to grant the increase whilst there is a myriad of problems at Eskom and South Africans are now subjected to extensive power cuts daily.

We are currently on load shedding stage 6 and this has had a huge negative impact on schools, businesses, hospitals and other sectors. This cannot be the new normal for the country and FEDUSA calls for urgent results driven intervention by the government.

 

Consumers are buying electricity that they never get to use fully yet the service remains expensive, problematic, and unreliable. In the private sectors the levels of loadshedding are killing all efforts to create and sustain jobs, short time and company closures are common. The increase in tariffs more than three times the current inflation rate will force companies to save money elsewhere and jobs will be lost.

 

Site the costs of losses for everyday that the power is out. Undue expenditure and inability to recoup losses due to downtime, only points to massive S189 processes being initiated by struggling employers and businesses.

Inability and continued delays in bringing power stations on board after scheduled maintenance, is only frustrating the process. FEDUSA demands action by government with absolute urgency and conviction, failing which, the noble efforts of the Economic Resconstruction and Recovery Plan as well as the Eskom Compact will be rendered worthless, as workers and South African’s face demise.

 

Just weeks shy of the State of the Nation Address, President Ramaphosa needs to save this nation and provide solutions to end the problems at the power utility and the country’s economic crisis.

FEDUSA therefore calls for the increase not to be implemented and for the decision to be revisited.

 

 

For Media enquiries

Betty Moleya

0613961841

 

For interviews please contact:

Ms Riefdah Ajam

FEDUSA General Secretary

079 696 2625

 

Mr Ashley Benjamin

FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary

0832584433