UB union sues over management appointees
Bame Piet | Thursday June 8, 2017 16:33
The UB is cited in the matter as first respondent while other respondents are Beatrice Burrows, the deputy director of Human Resources (HR) Department, Meshack Mauco deputy director HR, and Peter Morapedi, also a deputy director HR.
In his affidavit, UBASSU secretary general, Aobakwe Banamile said in March 2016, the UB’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Admin), Mendel Nlanda appointed Burrows, Mauco and Morapedi to the positions of Deputy Director HR with new portfolios.
Burrows’s new portfolio includes SAPC business or appointment, promotions and review of academic staff below the level of director, while Mauco’s portfolio includes non-SAPC business, or appointment, promotions and review of support staff below the level of director. Morapedi’s new portfolio includes training and development (placements, contracts/bonds, subsistence allowances and monitoring) performance management/appraisal, employee relations and union business.
“Prior to the said memorandum there were three deputy director positions in the Human Resource Department namely: Appointments and Administration; Training and Development; Performance Management. In effect, the memorandum of the March 3, 2016 created new positions with new portfolios”. Banamile stated through his lawyer, Tshiamo Rantao that the new appointments changed reporting lines in a manner that is uncoordinated, arbitrary and unclear through the seeming restructuring of the HR department.
He argued that the memorandum has caused a lot of confusion amongst UB employees about their reporting lines that they ended up enquiring from anybody who cared to listen as to what they should do. The employees sought clarity on reporting lines, assignments and duties.
“In response thereto, Mr Nlanda dismissed the said staff members and told them to stop copying him on chain emails, despite the fact that the email questions were made in good faith and are genuine, and all those copied in had a direct interest in the subject matter.”
He said he formally registered the complaint with the Staff Appeals Committee querying the said appointments and consequent changes in the structure.
“On failing to get a satisfactory response, I together with the other members of the union, approached the union for assistance and a letter was then issued to the Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration and Leader of Management Negotiating Committee established in terms of the Recognition Agreement.”
Banamile said he requested a meeting with UB negotiating committee to address the complaints raised in the letter. “In response thereto, Mr Nlanda dismissed the concerns raised therein as mere rumours which could not be substantiated. He further stated that the Human Resource Department had not been restructured and that what transpired was a promotion exercise,” he said. Banamile said that Nlanda told him that his complaints were before the UB Council and that he should await the outcome as it would be updated.
He said all subsequent attempts to meet Nlanda were in vain. The union argues that the creation of new portfolios rendered the positions new to the structure and in effect restructuring the HR department.
“The creation of the aforesaid new job profiles and jobs was never preceded by negotiation with the Applicant, a recognised trade union, and is not only a breach of the Trade Unions and Employers’ Organisations Act, but is also a clear breach of the recognition agreement”.
The Union seeks to set aside the creation of the new jobs and portfolios to be set aside; the promotion of the three deputy HR directors be set aside; and that UB should pay the costs.