Clanwilliam wage deal not discussed, says Agri SA

16 JAN 2013 11:36 - SAPA Agri SA says it has not been contacted by Cosatu regarding a plan to extend a recent wage deal between farmers and their workers in Clanwilliam. OUR COVERAGE De Doorns strike: Media in the line of workers' ire MORE COVERAGE Police fire rubber bullets on striking De Doorns farmworkers Joemat-Pettersson calls for end to De Doorns strike Agriculture minister to hold urgent meeting on De Doorns "Except through the media, we've heard nothing from the Congress of South African Trade Unions [Cosatu] or [its Western Cape secretary] Tony Ehrenreich regarding the deal," the union's labour relations head Elize van der Westhuizen said on Wednesday. "This deal is typical of what we've asked our members to do since last year, where they engage directly with farmworkers and negotiate terms." On Tuesday, Ehrenreich announced that a daily wage deal of R105 had been brokered with a "significant amount" of farmers in Clanwilliam. He said Agri SA had to respond to his request by 1pm on Wednesday should they want the strike to be possibly suspended. "This represents a significant move forward and puts the ball squarely in the court of the Agri SA to accept the terms and secure a suspension to the strike, as a matter of urgency," he said. But Van der Westhuizen said that Cosatu should first contact Agri SA with information about his request before taking any action. Agri Wes-Kaap spokesperson Porschia Adams said it had also not heard from Cosatu or Ehrenreich. She said that to her knowledge, the wage deal was agreed to by one farmer who owned a number of farms, rather than multiple farmers. Ehrenreich was not immediately available to comment. Misinformation In a statement on Tuesday Ehrenreich said: "This agreement represents a model agreement that would be used in the other areas and towns ... as soon as an agreement is concluded in a town, then that town would be exempted from strike action." He said Cosatu would encourage workers to suspend the strike if Agri SA acknowledged the Clanwilliam agreement, and ensured no disciplinary action was taken against striking workers. Farmworkers went on strike last year to demand their daily wage be increased from R69 to R150, and that a coherent land reform programme be implemented. The strike was suspended in December, but resumed on Wednesday last week. Cosatu in Limpopo said they fully supported the demands of workers for better living and working conditions. Provincial administrator Mamodula Kgabo called on employers to accept the demands and for government to further research the conditions of such workers. Principal provincial inspector Jacques Mostert said the N1 was closed at De Doorns, the epicentre of protest action. He said motorists would have to take the Orchards offramp to get to De Doorns. On Wednesday morning, there were reports of stones being thrown at cars by protesters in Wolseley. Mostert said no casualties were reported. – Sapa The Citizen - - - COMMENTS BY SONNY When will this carnage and destruction desist! Only when we fire the ANC/SACP/COSATU/NUM ALLIANCE? ZUMA DOES NOT WANT PEACE IN THE WESTERN CAPE BECAUSE HE CANNOT DEFEAT HELEN ZILLE AT THE POLLS!