Question $4\mathrm{.}1$

Following negotiations stretching over two months, Gautrain workers affiliated with the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa $($Numsa$)$ embarked on an indefinite strike on Monday, $8$ July $2024.$ The decision to strike came after failed negotiations that began on $17$ April $2024,$ culminating in a deadlock on

$11$ June $2024.$ On Monday morning $(8$ July $2024),$ workers staged a picket at the rail service$$s Maintenance Workshop Depot in Midrand, demanding a $13\%$ salary increase, a R$2,000$ housing allowance, and $60\%$ medical aid contributions by the employer. "Numsa members at Gautrain are on strike. They are demanding a $13\%$ increase, $60\%$ contribution to medical aid, and guaranteed bonuses," Numsa posted through its social media channels.

Numsa accused Gautrain management of greed, pointing out that management rewarded themselves with bonuses while offering none to ordinary workers.

The union$$s list of demands from the Bombela Operating Company $($BOC$)$ which operates the Gautrain and employs the Gautrain workers included:

$$Thirteen percent wage increases across the board.

$$ Sixty percent medical contribution by BOC and employees to contribute $40\%.$

$$ Housing allowance of R$2,000$ per worker per month.

$$ The BOC was initially a five$-$day operation and it changed to six days without compensating workers for the extra work. Workers have not been remunerated for these additional hours, and we are demanding that they be compensated for this. And, going forward, they must be paid the overtime rate for the sixth day.

$$ The BOC does not treat workers equally. The bosses at BOC rewarded themselves and office workers with R$22,000$ each as a bonus. They have an incentive bonus that requires that the applicant must first qualify in order to be paid. This is unfair and we demand equal treatment for all workers.

$$ The BOC has become hostile to the union, and this led to management unilaterally withdrawing the recognition agreement that we had with the company. We demand full$-$time shop stewards so that they can represent workers in disciplinary inquiries, grievances, etc.$$

Most of the Gautrain stations were operating on the morning of $8$ July $2024,$ but Numsa warned Gautrain commuters of possible disruptions. By midday, there was still no negative impact on commuters and travel. The strike is protected in terms of the Labour Relations Act, meaning workers could protest at the depots but not at other undesignated areas. Private security and law enforcement were present to monitor the protest and maintain calm.

The contentious issues included guaranteed bonuses, which the agency disputed based on the current economic climate and the performance of the Gautrain. Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi$-$Majola stated that the first day of the strike had been effective.

$$What we need to do is return to the table and negotiate. We would really like to go back to the process. We are willing to negotiate, and to negotiate on all the issues as a collective,$$ said management representative, Tshepo Kgobe.

Resolution Reached: $25$ July $2024$:

Two weeks after the start of the strike, an above$-$inflation wage agreement was signed between Numsa and the Bombela Operating Company $($BOC$),$ which operates the Gautrain and employs the Gautrain workers, on $25$ July $2024.$ The agreement is for one year, from $1$ July $2024$ to $30$ June $2025.$

Numsa secured a $6\mathrm{.}8\%$ wage increase across the board, which is above the current inflation rate of $5\mathrm{.}1\%.$ Additionally, the Night Work Transport Subsidy will increase from R$105$ to R$112,$ the night shift allowance from R$35$ to R$37,$ the housing subsidy from R$1,210$ to R$1,300,$ and the key performance indicators bonus

incentive will increase by $6\mathrm{.}8\%.$ The signing of the agreement means the strike is over, and all striking employees are expected back at work by $26$ July $2024.$

$$Numsa wishes to thank its members for their courage and determination. They were loyal to their demands and showed gallant resistance against an onslaught from an inflexible employer. Their strike pushed the employer from the initial offer of $5\mathrm{.}3\%$ to $6\mathrm{.}8\%.$ This is working$-$class power!$$ said Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim.

$$Numsa also wishes to thank its officials for their hard work in negotiating this agreement. We continue to ensure that workers receive above$-$inflation increases to mitigate against the high cost of living,$$ Jim added.

Question:

Three months have passed since the strike at Gautrain has ended. BOC, as the employer of the Gautrain workers, is embarking on a strategy to improve employment relations. They have contracted you, an Employment Relations Specialist to assist the company with the integration of its HRM functions with

employment relations.

Write an email to the management committee of BOC in which you explain how the company should go about integrating the HRM functions of training and development, compensation and benefits and terminations with employment relations. Provide examples to illustrate your answer.