Tseleng September 2011 - nbcrfli.org.za

Quarterly Newsletter | September 2011
Tseleng
In this issue
• Trucking Wellness
launches new
Wellness Centre
in Roodekop
• Amended Wage
Agreement
• Provident Fund
Administration
• NBCRFLI Wellness
Health Plan
Insurance insert

Table of Contents
Editorial 3
From the desk of the CEO 4
Trucking Wellness launches new
Wellness Centre in Roodekop 5
Part II: Exposing the Council’s purpose
and highlighting its benefits 6
Council appoints new Dispute Resolution
and Litigation Manager 7
Amended Wage Agreement 8
Provident Fund Administration 10
Council helps sponsor the Ekurhuleni North
Grade 12 District Awards 11
Contact Details
31 De Korte Street, Braamfontein, Johanneburg 2001
Private Bag X69, Braamfontein 2017
Tel 011 703 7000
Fax 011 403 1555
Email tseleng@nbcrfli.co.za
www.nbcrfi.org.za
Tseleng is a publication for the NBCRFLI. While reasonable precautions
have been taken to ensure accuracy of the content, the NBCRFLI cannot
accept any responsibility for any damages or inconvenience that may arise.

This financial year has been extremely promising.
There are a number of exciting achievements
to celebrate that we believe set the stage for a
successful year ahead.
Fikile Mchunu
Editorial
In this edition of Tseleng, we proudly announce the recent
promulgation of the new wage schedule. The improved
wage agreement will mean better wages and improved
basic medical insurance for road freight and logistics
workers. We believe that the creation of a more equitable
industry environment will help improve productivity.
We also celebrate the establishment of improved
Provident Fund administration and as previously
mentioned, the introduction of a new medical insurance
health plan with added benefits. In addition, we welcome
our new Manager of Dispute Resolution and Litigation,
Ezra Bulose, on board.
The launch of the 22nd Trucking Wellness Centre in
Roodekop, Germiston, as well as our sponsorship of the
Ekurhuleni North Grade 12 District Awards this year are
two other achievements that we gladly share with you.
We trust you will enjoy this celebratory edition of
Tseleng. As always, we welcome your comments and
thus encourage you to contact me with any questions
or suggestions you may have on how we can make the
Tseleng experience more pleasurable for you.
Warm Regards
Fikile Mchunu
Fikile.mchunu@nbcrfi.co.za
NBCRFLI | TSELENG SEPTEMBER 2011 3

From the desk of the CEO
The first quarter of the 2011/2012 financial year
already brings with it the attainment of many
key achievements. Not only does our soon to
be published annual report reflect an improved
financial performance for the 2010/2011 financial
year, but we also celebrate:
• The recent promulgation of the new wage agreement.
• The appointment of a new Manager of Dispute
Resolution and Litigation.
• The announcement of the 22nd Trucking
Wellness Centre.
• Improved Provident Fund administration.
• The introduction of a new health plan insurance.
• The new sponsorship of a Corporate Social
Investment (CSI) initiative.
We are proud to announce that road freight and
logistics workers and employers are to benefit from a
new wage and conditions of service agreement that
has been promulgated by the Department of Labour.
The amendments to the Main Collective Agreement will
see an increasing number of road freight and logistics
employees earning better wages and receiving basic
medical insurance.
A heartfelt welcome goes to our new Manager of Dispute
Resolution and Litigation, Ezra Bulose. Appointed in
March 2011, Ezra is playing an important role in providing
strategic direction to the Dispute Resolution and Litigation
sections in the Council.
We are also extremely proud of our Trucking Wellness
programme which is an example of a successful and
sustainable public-private partnership, working in
collaboration with industry partners, local government
and various health departments. The success of the
programme was evident through the launch of the 22nd
Trucking Wellness Centre in Roodekop, Germiston in
June this year.
Joe Letswalo | National Secretary/CEO
We reached another milestone recently when we
acquired a new licence from the Financial Services
Board (FSB). This is extremely beneficial for us as it will
allow us to administer the Provident Fund in a far more
effective manner.
We are also pleased to announce the launch of an
improved health plan insurance which will provide our
members with additional benefits such as primary
healthcare, which includes GP doctor visits, chronic
medication, hospital benefits and 24-hour emergency
assistance. Look out for the health plan insurance insert
enclosed in this edition for all the latest information.
Looking beyond our industry, we were proud to help
sponsor the Ekurhuleni North Grade 12 District Awards
this year. The awards are held to honour top grade 12
students and educators in a number of Ekurhuleni North
areas. This encourages the learners to know more about
the road freight and logistics industry.
We hope that this edition of Tseleng uplifts your spirits
as you see the inroads we are making not only within
the road freight and logistics industry, but within the
community at large.
4
NBCRFLI | TSELENG SEPTEMBER 2011

Trucking Wellness launches new
Wellness Centre in Roodekop
Wellness Centres are instrumental in fighting the spread of HIV and Aids amongst
truck drivers. Trucking Wellness, with the support of industry partners, launched
the 22nd Trucking Wellness Centre in Roodekop, Germiston on 27 June this year. A
special thanks goes to SIDA once again for making available the resources to provide
the infrastructure for this venture.
The Council approved the launch of the Wellness Centre in Roodekop as it falls on a major
trucking route and subsequently experiences high volumes of trucking activity. At the opening of
the Epping Wellness Centre in September last year, Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi, said,
“We are fully aware of the dangers that long distance truck drivers are exposed to as a result of
being away from their spouses for longer periods. It becomes important therefore that we provide
them with primary healthcare services including counselling, as part of minimising their risks of
getting STIs, including HIV, and in turn put their spouses at risk.’’
With more than five million South Africans fighting a daily battle against HIV and Aids, the new
Centre will play a key role in the delivery of primary healthcare, HIV counselling and testing
services, an internal antiretroviral (ARV) referral system and ARV programme. As with the other
21 centres already established on routes across the nation, Roodekop will become an ideal hub
to reach long-distance truck drivers, women at risk as well as communities in the area. The aim
of the Wellness Centres is to raise awareness and advocate testing, prevention and treatment of
HIV and Aids.
“The Trucking Wellness Centres form part of a totally unique programme that brings together a
multiplicity of partners to effectively address the impact of HIV and Aids in the trucking sector, and
we look forward to expanding the footprint of the programme even further in the coming months,’’
says Joe Letswalo, CEO of the NBCRFLI.
NBCRFLI | TSELENG SEPTEMBER 2011 5

Part II: Exposing the Council’s purpose
and highlighting its benefits
One of the key mandates of the NBCRFLI is to
ensure labour peace amongst the road freight
and logistics industry stakeholders. In its quest to
achieve a stable employment relationship between
industry members, it plays a leading role in
facilitating wage agreements.
The Council plays a major role when inter-alia strike
action is contemplated within the road freight and logistics
industry. Firstly, the Council does everything in its power
to resolve the dispute in order to prevent strike action. The
process will include holding meeting(s) where both parties
to the dispute are present in order to mediate between the
parties and resolve the dispute. The NBCRFLI Constitution
provides for the following options which endeavour to
resolve disputes:
(i) The aggrieved party may refer the dispute in writing to
the Council within 30 days of the dispute arising.
(ii) The National Secretary must then convene at least
two special meetings of Council to attempt to resolve
the dispute.
(iii) If the dispute is not resolved at the special meetings,
the parties may agree whether further meetings of the
Council should be convened to resolve the dispute or
whether the dispute should be referred to voluntary
mediation or arbitration.
(iv) If no settlement is reached as contemplated in (iii)
above, any party to the dispute shall be entitled
to invoke the procedures contained in the Labour
Relations Act.
Wage Agreements
The Labour Relations Act, 1995 empowers the NBCRFLI
to negotiate and conclude substantive agreements on
inter-alia wages in the road freight and logistics industry.
Negotiations between the parties commence by following
the agreed procedures as set out in the Negotiation
Protocol document signed by all the parties to the Council.
These procedures provide for pre-negotiation preparation
by parties, time frames within which to conclude an
agreement, outcomes and objectives of the prenegotiation
preparations and finally the negotiation stage.
Once the parties have concluded a wage agreement,
it must be documented in writing and signed by parties
who agreed to it. Council officials then become involved
in the administrative procedures in order to get the wage
agreement promulgated and extended to non-parties
in the industry. Once the wage agreement has been
promulgated, designated agents of the Council will ensure
that the industry complies with the provisions of the wage
agreement by conducting inspections and investigations.
6
NBCRFLI | TSELENG SEPTEMBER 2011

Council appoints new Dispute
Resolution and Litigation Manager
Ezra Bulose
Ezra Bulose was appointed the Council’s new Manager of Dispute Resolution and
Litigation in March 2011. His main role is to provide strategic direction to the Dispute
Resolution and Litigation sections in the Operations Department.
Ezra brings a wealth of valuable knowledge and experience to his new position. He has a
bachelor’s degree in Communication Science and is also an accredited Bargaining Council
Commissioner for Dispute Resolution. His experience with bargaining councils started with the
Clothing Bargaining Council as a Designated Agent. He was later appointed as a Labour Affairs
Manager and thereafter as the Regional Secretary of the National Bargaining Council for the
Clothing Industry (Northern Chamber). He was also a Principal Officer of the Northern Chamber
Provident Fund.
In his new role, Ezra aims to strengthen operational efficiency in the Dispute and Litigation
sections within the Operations Department. He also wants to enhance service delivery throughout
the various regions of the Council by promoting a culture of excellence and enhancing team
dynamics.
“I am finding the current position challenging on both strategic as well as operational levels
because of the large national footprint of the NBCRFLI and delivering service on a decentralised
basis,” says Ezra. “It always requires my direct involvement with both the internal and external
parties. The impact of the NBCRFLI in South Africa is huge and sound labour relations practices,
which is inclusive of dispute resolution, are essential to ensure the success of what we do.”
NBCRFLI | TSELENG SEPTEMBER 2011 7

Amended Wage Agreement
Freight and logistics sector to benefit from amendments to Main Collective Agreement.
On the 21st of February 2011, the Road Freight Employer’s Association and four union parties,
including the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union, Transport and Allied Workers
Union, Motor Transport Workers Union and Professional Transport and Allied Workers Union of
South Africa, concluded a new wage and conditions of service agreement.
The wage schedule, signed by all parties to Council, was submitted to the Department of Labour
on 5 April 2011. The Minister of Labour, Ms Mildred Nelisiwe Oliphant, signed the wage schedule
for promulgation on Friday 13 May 2011 under Government Gazette No. 34294, Regulation No’s
432 and 433. The effective date of the promulgation was 20 May 2011 and the agreement will be
valid until 28 February 2013.
“The new agreement, which applies to general freight and logistics, furniture removal, sugar cane,
forestry in-field operation and cash-in-transit employees, makes favourable changes that are in the
interest of both employers and employees alike,” says Joe Letswalo, CEO of the NBCRFLI.
Amendments include:
• Increase in minimum wages.
• Across the board increases in respect of existing employees in the bargaining unit.
• Across the board increases in respect of other categories of employees earning R10 000
and less per month.
• Leave pay fund contributions no longer calculated on shifts. Leave days now linked to years
of service.
• Holiday bonus contributions no longer linked to shifts. Guaranteed 13th cheque payable
to employees in December.
• Employees and employers of other categories of employees earning less than R10 000
per month as defined to pay a levy of 0.075% a side.
• The bargaining unit has been extended to include other employees in the industry subject
to certain processes agreed upon by the parties to Council.
• The Wellness Fund has been extended to include a basic medical insurance for members.
For detailed information regarding the Wage Agreement, contact one of the NBCRFLI’s designated
agents or refer to the Council’s website: www.nbcrfi.org.za. Alternatively, contact the Council’s
regional offices.
Wage Tables
For the period until 29 February 2012, the minimum rate at which wages in respect of ordinary
working hours shall be paid by an employer to each member of the under mentioned grades of his
employees, shall be as follows:
(i) Weekly Wages:
General Freight and Logistics, Sugar Cane Sector, In-Field Operations, Furniture Removal
and Cash-in-Transit: (fig. 1)
8
NBCRFLI | TSELENG SEPTEMBER 2011

Category
Code
Class
Grade
Patterson
Grade
New Minimum
Wage per week
Across the
board Increase
Fig. 1
1
42
3
27
5
6
2
22
24
46
7
8
44
19
23
47
21
20
26
15
50
10
11
12
13
18
14
45
49
51
41
40
39
General worker
General worker, repair shop
Packer/loader, grade I
Security guard
Motorcycle/motor tricycle driver
Light motor vehicle driver
Checker, grade I
Loader operator, grade II
Mobile hoist operator, grade II
Packer/loader, grade II
Medium motor vehicle driver (articulated)
Medium motor vehicle driver (rigid)
Artisan assistant
Gantry crane operator, grade I
Mobile hoist operator, grade I
Checker, grade II
Loader operator, grade I
Gantry crane operator, grade II
Storeman (workshop)
Team leader
Vehicle Guard
Heavy motor vehicle driver (articulated)
Heavy motor vehicle driver (rigid)
Extra-heavy motor vehicle driver (articulated)
Extra-heavy motor vehicle driver (rigid)
Dispatch clerk
Ultra-heavy motor vehicle driver
Semi-skilled artisan
Storeman (warehouse)
Custodian
Security officer, III
Security officer, II
Security officer, I
1
2
3
3
4
5
5
6
A Band
A Band
A Band
A Band
B1
B1
B1
B1
B1
B1
B2
B2
B2
B1
B2
B2
B1
B2
B2
B2
B2
B3
B3
B3
B3
B3
B4
B4
B4
B4
B3
B3
B4
R747.76
R845.24
R1041.77
R1646.70
R1193.90
R1384.73
R1921.15
R1372.25
R1646.70
R1646.70
9%
9%
9%
9%
9%
(subject to
(ii) below)
9% (subject to
(ii) below)
9%
9%
(ii) In respect of grades 4 and 5 employees who
received the 3% increase as a result of the
increases in minimum wages on 28 February 2011,
an offset to a maximum of 2% on the across the
board increases shall apply.
(a) For the period 1 March 2012 to 28 February 2013
the minimum weekly rate of which wages in respect
of ordinary working hours shall be paid by an
employer to his employees who are engaged in the
under mentioned grades, shall be as follows: (fig.2)
Category
Code
Class
Grade
Patterson
Grade
New Minimum
Wage per week
Across the
board Increase
Fig. 2
1
42
3
27
5
6
2
22
24
46
7
8
44
19
23
47
21
20
26
15
50
10
11
12
13
18
14
45
49
51
41
40
39
General worker
General worker, repair shop
Packer/loader, grade I
Security guard
Motorcycle/motor tricycle driver
Light motor vehicle driver
Checker, grade I
Loader operator, grade II
Mobile hoist operator, grade II
Packer/loader, grade II
Medium motor vehicle driver (articulated)
Medium motor vehicle driver (rigid)
Artisan assistant
Gantry crane operator, grade I
Mobile hoist operator, grade I
Checker, grade II
Loader operator, grade I
Gantry crane operator, grade II
Storeman (workshop)
Team leader
Vehicle Guard
Heavy motor vehicle driver (articulated)
Heavy motor vehicle driver (rigid)
Extra-heavy motor vehicle driver (articulated)
Extra-heavy motor vehicle driver (rigid)
Dispatch clerk
Ultra-heavy motor vehicle driver
Semi-skilled artisan
Storeman (warehouse)
Custodian
Security officer, III
Security officer, II
Security officer, I
1
2
3
3
4
5
5
6
A Band
A Band
A Band
A Band
B1
B1
B1
B1
B1
B1
B2
B2
B2
B1
B2
B2
B1
B2
B2
B2
B2
B3
B3
B3
B3
B3
B4
B4
B4
B4
B3
B3
B4
R807.58
R912.86
R1125.11
R1786.67
R1289.41
R1495.50
R2084.15
R1488.99
R1786.67
R1786.67
8.5%
8.5%
8.5%
8.5%
8.5%
8.5%
8.5%
8.5%
NBCRFLI | TSELENG SEPTEMBER 2011 9

(b) Across the board increases for employees in other categories
For the period ending 29 February 2012 and 28 February 2013 respectively, the following increases
will be applicable to employees whose minimum wages are not prescribed but fall within the definition
of the bargaining unit in terms of clause 49 of the Collective Agreement.
(i) General Freight and Logistics, Sugar Cane Sector, In-Field Operations and Furniture Removal
Operations:
Bands Period ending Period ending
29/02/2012 28/02/2013
Employees earning less than R6000.00 pm 100% of 7% 100% of 7%
Employees earning between R6001.00 and R8000.00 pm 87.5% of 7% 87.5% of 7%
Employees earning between R8001.00 and R10000.00 pm 80% of 7% 80% of 7%
(ii) Cash-in-Transit:
Bands Period ending Period ending
29/02/2012 28/02/2013
(Other categories (Box Room Marshall, Radio Controller,
Tactical Support Officer, Team Leader and 7% 7%
Counting House [Tellers])
(iii) The increases in (i) and (ii) above are to be off-set against any company paid increases over
the last 12 months. The off-set is only in respect of the first year of this Collective Agreement. In
the event that an employee in the extended bargaining unit received an increase greater than
reflected in (i) and (ii) above, the employer will not be entitled to recover such difference from
such employee.
Provident Fund Administration
The NBCRFLI recently acquired a new license from the Financial Services Board (FSB)
which will enable it to administer the Provident Fund in a far more effective manner. The
new Section 13B Licence allows the Council to play a more active role in Provident Fund
management for the industry in the context of retirement schemes regulation.
The main aim of this change is to harness the best from both the Council and the current Provident
Fund administrator’s capabilities. The Council will fulfill the role of collecting Provident Fund
contributions, while the current administrators will retain the Provident Fund pay-outs as they have
proved to be quite meticulous in this portion of the process. The combined management abilities of
both the current administrators and the Council are envisioned to form an efficient partnership during
the coming year.
Ngoako Bopape
10
NBCRFLI | TSELENG SEPTEMBER 2011

Council helps sponsor the
Ekurhuleni North Grade 12
District Awards
The NBCRFLI accepts that social development
cannot be the sole responsibility of government.
The Council therefore aims to serve the broader
community. As a responsible corporate citizen,
it endeavors to assist in promoting social
development through building capacity within
the South African community at large, with a
particular emphasis on education.
This year, a sponsorship request came through to the
Council CEO’s office from the Ekurhuleni North Grade
12 District Awards. The awards are held to honour
top students and educators from grades R to 12 in a
number of areas, including Benoni, Daveyton, Wattville,
Actonville, Edenvale, Kempton Park, Thembisa and a
portion of Germiston. The District’s Grade 12 class of
2010 did exceptionally well and thus the District wanted
to acknowledge the good work done by both the learners
and educators.
“Acknowledging and rewarding sustained effort and
subsequent good results plays an essential role in
motivating involved parties to maintain their high level
of standards”, says Joe Letswalo, CEO of the NBCRFLI.
“With this in mind, together with our passion to uplift
education in our broader community, we decided to
sponsor the décor of the awards ceremony. It was
encouraging to see the excitement of learners and
educators alike as they were acknowledged for their
outstanding achievements.”
Awards were presented according to the following
categories:
• Best educators per subject.
• Best learners per subject.
• Top 10 overall learners.
• Top schools.
• Schools that received 100% pass rate, both public
and independent.
• Most improved schools.
“Although the award programme is fairly new and has yet
to establish its footprint, we believe in its success and
feel proud to play a supportive role during its foundation
phase,” says Joe Letswalo.
The Council has been involved in a few CSI projects,
one of the most notable being a soccer t-shirt donation
that was made last year to Laerskool Piet van Vuuren in
Brixton.

WE’RE BRINGING PARTNERS TOGETHER FOR
A STRONGER, BETTER TRANSPORT
AND LOGISTICS INDUSTRY.
The NBCRFLI facilitates the conclusion of a new wage and conditions of service agreement.
The National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI) is working hard to create a transport industry that is fair
and equitable for all stakeholders. We are proud to announce the conclusion to major amendments in the Main Collective Agreement that will
mean better service and performance for the industry. This accomplishment is one of the many ways we are serving you.
Amendments include
• Increase in minimum wages.
• Across the board increases in respect of existing employees in the bargaining unit.
• Across the board increases in respect of other categories of employees earning R10 000 and less per month.
• Leave pay fund contributions no longer calculated on shifts. Leave days now linked to years of service.
• Holiday bonus contributions no longer linked to shifts. Guaranteed 13th cheque payable
to employees in December.
• Employees and employers of other categories of employees earning less than R10 000 per month
as defined to pay a levy of 0.075% a side.
• The bargaining unit has been extended to include other employees in the industry, subject
to certain processes agreed upon by the parties to Council.
• The Wellness Fund has been extended to include a basic medical insurance for members.
For detailed information regarding the Wage Agreement, contact one of the
NBCRFLI’s designated agents or refer to the Council’s website www.nbcrfi.org.za
Alternatively, contact the Council’s regional offices.
Registered Office 31 De Korte Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2017
Private Bag X69, Braamfontein, 2017 Tel 011 703 7000 Fax 011 403 1551/1726