Representing the Cape of Good Hope region, the BIBC has explained that the Unions are not meant to instigate any industrial action pertaining to any matter that is contained within the Collective Agreement as they are parties to the Council and the Collective Agreement. “The agreement, which pertains to the building and construction industry, covers issues such as wages, working conditions, and leave pay etc and is effective until October 2010,” explained the Secretary for Building Industry Bargaining Council (Cape of Good Hope), Henry Strydom

Strydom clarified that one of the key reasons for this collective agreement is to prevent work stoppage and all forms of industrial action that may be disruptive to the industry. “It is for this reason that we don’t expect that the strike will have any major effect on the work progress at the Stadium in Cape Town,” said Strydom.

The Collective Agreement, which applied to all industry parties, including trade unions and employers bodies (that are signatories to the agreement), stipulates that the BIBC is the only forum for negotiating all matters pertaining to this Agreement. Key issues that are incorporate are include, amongst others: Minimum wages and benefits; Hours of work and overtime payment; Annual leave; Sick leave and sick leave pay; Retrenchment procedures; Contributions to social funds such as: Retirement Funds, Medical Aid, Sick Pay Fund, Bonus Fund and Holiday Fund.