Local News
Hestony employees picketing in Bloemfontein─── REFILWE REFILWE 12:33 Tue, 13 Jan 2015
Bloemfontein - More than 40 Hestony Transport workers from around the country are picketing outside the company’s headquarters in Bloemfontein.
Disgruntled employees downed tools in November and started picketing yesterday.
Truck drivers and workshop employees complain of unfair working conditions.
Some claim that company owner Etuan van der Westhuizen has threatened to fire them if they join the newly formed Tirisano workers union that was established by the company’s employees late last year. Some union members allege that Van der Westhuizen deducts a union membership fee from their salaries. They claim to not know where this money goes.
Workers also allege that they are not being paid for overtime, and that it is unfair practice for the company to hire 80 percent Zimbabweans and only 20 percent South Africans. They are also demanding a 45 hour work week.
On top of this, various protesting employees have told OFM News that they have received dismissal messages without proper disciplinary procedures being followed.
Van der Westhuizen would not give any comment.
Refilwe Mekoa/OFM News
