Retrenched GMB workers disappointed by latest offer

Grain Marketing Board (GMB) workers, who were retrenched recently, have vowed to stand for their rights to the bitter end, as they expressed grave misgivings with the latest offer by their former employer, describing it as 'disappointing'.

The workers described the latest offer as 'nothing new', as they prepare themselves in taking their former employer to the Labour Court.

In an Internal Memorandum (dated 15 December 2015) from the GMB's Regional Human Resources Officer P. Mutembo, and sent to Depot Managers and Section Heads (a copy of which is in the possession of this reporter), the company said that it would pay all outstanding salaries to the retrenched workers.

However, the memo proceeded to say that the company management was currently mobilising resources for the payment of these salary arrears, and was committed to 'undertake part payment before the Christmas holidays upon availability of funds'.

Workers who spoke to this reporter expressed doubt as to the sincerity of their erstwhile bosses, as this was not the first time such a statement was made to them.

'This is not the first time that we have been promised payment of our outstanding salaries. The fact that the GMB is using the term 'upon availability of funds' speaks volumes about the lack of seriousness on their part,' said a worker representative.

'We need our former employer to commit to a schedule as to when we should expect our salaries and terminal benefits, and we want them in full.

'The GMB should commit. They should stop placing the blame on Treasury all the time. We want what is due to us. Render to Caesar what is Caesar's.

'The taste of the pudding is in the eating, so we will see if they will even manage to give us something for the Christmas holidays.'

The workers went on to allege that when they questioned the GMB as to why they had not received their November salaries, they were told that the company did not have enough money to pay all workers.

However, what shocked the retrenched workers was that those still in GMB's employment received their salaries.

'They have complete disregard towards our plight. If finances are meagre, then why not include us in their sharing? It's as if they have declared us their enemies, yet we dedicated ourselves to this company,' said the workers.

In the memo, the company also reiterated its demand that all retrenched employees who still occupy GMB houses would be charged rentals at commercial rates and it would be deducted from their salary arrears and terminal benefits.

In response to this, the workers lambasted the GMB management for being 'dishonest brokers', saying that, had the company paid them their dues, they would not still be residing in those houses.

'We are now being treated as vagabonds who are squatting on their premises. We are not still here because we are stubbornly refusing to vacate, but we are here because the GMB is not paying us, and we don't have the money to rent accommodation elsewhere.

'Demanding that we pay commercial rates, and yet they are the ones who 'forced' us to stay here - since they're not paying us - is extortion. It's daylight robbery. Plain and simple. They should give us our money and we will go,' said the clearly disappointed retrenched workers.

The worker representatives said that the only way forward was through the Labour Court, where they would no longer press just for outstanding salaries and terminal benefits, but also compensation for unfair dismissal.

The company is offering the retrenched workers an equivalent of two weeks salary for every year served, as terminal benefits, a situation that the ex-employees found insulting and repugnant.

The workers representatives said that since it was apparent that they were not going anywhere with the negotiations with the GMB, they would now proceed with the course set by the Labour Officer, as they were given till 17 December 2015 to negotiate amongst themselves.

'We have reached a deadlock. We are now moving for a certificate of no settlement and proceeding to the Labour Court.'

According to the timetable set for the hearing, the retrenched employees had till 6 January 2016 to file their arguments.

The GMB should respond by 20 January 2016, thereafter, the ex-employees have till 25 January 2016 to respond to any issues they considered to have not been adequately addressed.

The Labour Officer would then make a determination for onward submission to the Labour Court on either 1 or 2  February 2016.