MAIN STORY

Stormy labour market: Employees will suffer for a long while to come - Solidarity

By Inge Strydom

Owing to the slump in the labour market, employees in various sectors have come under substantial pressure and have been experiencing lasting insecurity in the workplace since 2007. In addition, various macroeconomic indicators show that this storm won’t pass for a long while to come.

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STORY 1

DCS case postponed to 18 November 2015 – Solidarity

By Francois Redelinghuys

Trade union Solidarity this week confirmed that the case in which it will tackle the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) on behalf of ten of its members, has been postponed until 18 November 2015.

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STORY 2

Corporate education tax will pressurise employers even more – Solidarity

By Francois Redelinghuys

Trade union Solidarity this week denounced the proposal to implement corporate education tax to finance universities.

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STORY 3

Solidarity opposes urgent court application by Evraz

By Inge Strydom

Trade union Solidarity will oppose Evraz’s urgent court application to stop a business rescue plan for Highveld Steel in Witbank. Solidarity is one of twelve respondents opposing the urgent application.

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STORY 4

Water shortage in South Africa a possibility

The possibility of a water shortage in South Africa has recently flared up again. Water utilities are under pressure after two decades of underinvestment while expanding connections to millions of people.

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STORY 5

This is why your medical fund is so expensive

By Inge Strydom

Those who can afford private medical care, must brace themselves. Medical-fund premiums are going to keep on raiding their pockets. It is still unclear whether the envisaged cheaper medical-fund option will offer a workable alternative.

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STORY 6

Careers: Know your personality

By Luzette Botha

When I’m grown up, I want to become a music artist and perform at T in the Park in London!

This was my biggest dream as a child.

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MAGAZINE

Have a look at the new edition of Solidarity Magazine.

Click here.

Magazine teaser

Favourable agreement a positive sign amidst wage negotiations

By Inge Strydom and Cilleste van Dyk

While wage negotiations rage on at several other companies, trade union Solidarity recently reached a favourable three year wage agreement on behalf of its members at Samancor Chrome Limited. According to the agreement, members will receive a wage increase of 10% to 11% in the first year, depending on their job levels.

Read more on page 30. Click here.

AfriForum

AfriForum submits #WaterCrisis petition to Parliament

By Esmarie Prinsloo

The civil rights organisation AfriForum submitted a petition to Parliament in a desperate call for action regarding the water crisis in South Africa.

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HELPENDE HAND

Let’s make Pongola free, safe and prosperous

In November, Solidarity Helping Hand will introduce a plan to ensure a brighter future for Pongola. Helping Hand wants to implement all its national projects in Pongola in order to uplift the community in a sustainable and effective way.

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RUBRIEKE:

BEDDRYFSBROKKIES

Sappi’s Enstra Mill sold

Paper manufacturer Sappi this week sold its Enstra Mill in Johannesburg to Corruseal, and will now focus on upgrading its Stanger Mill in KwaZulu-Natal.

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MY WORK

Work and study at the same time

By Francois Redelinghuys

The recent student protest actions against the proposed increase in university fees immediately made me think of several friends and acquaintances of mine who had no other choice but to work while studying due to the high cost of studying at university.

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MY HEALTH

How susceptible am I to breast cancer?

Four crucial questions to determine your risk.

Click here for the questions

ECONOMIC NEWS

Food prices and fuel prices

By Paul Joubert (repeat)

“Now that petrol prices have come down, why aren’t the food prices which have sky-rocketed coming down as well?” This is a question often asked these days. In fact, the answer is relatively simple:

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MY SPORT

Two points mask the reality … there was always only one

By Francois Redelinghuys

After the All Blacks on Saturday succeeded to become the first team to win the World Cup for a third time, and twice in a row for that matter, there should be no doubt any more – McCaw and his team are something special and they are undoubtedly the world’s best.

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Knights and Knave

By Francois Redelinghuys

Knight

This week’s knight is a brave mother from Rustenburg who lay down on top of her baby to protect her against attackers on a farm just outside of town. Monique van den Berg (24) suffered a fractured skull and a cerebral haemorrhage after the robbers struck her with a crowbar while she was protecting her daughter.

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LEGAL QUESTION

May an employee insist on unfair dismissal?

By Hendrik van der Hoven

Question

An employee applied to his employer for early retirement. The employer approved the application, but the employee changed his mind and cancelled his early retirement shortly afterwards. However, the employer refused to accept the cancellation. May the employee insist on unfair dismissal?

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DID YOU KNOW

The first wine route in South Africa was established in 1971 in Stellenbosch by Frans Malan of Simonsig Wine Estate.

Source: Pharos se Feitegids. ʼn Kernensiklopedie.

QUOTE

Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership. - Colin Powell

RUNNING CLUB

This is how you can join the Solidarity Running Club

Het jy asseblief die Engels?

You can join the Solidarity Running Club by contacting club chairman Hendrik van der Westhuizen on 082 851 9451 for more information or send an email to .