Twenty-five (25) workers at the Animal Feed Plant & Silos in Cookhouse were dismissed after taking part in a 3rd (third) unprotected work stoppage action that led to fierce intimidation, abuse and threats on workers not part of the strike action, as well as the physical assaults on members of management.
The Co-op has been prevented to address misinformation being disseminated and has regrettably been barred from the premises. Opportunities to address workers, or attend scheduled meetings with representatives, were prohibited. Various channels of communication were used to encourage engagement that includes meetings, written notices, telephone calls, WhatsApp messages and registered post.
The entrance to the Feeding Plant was unlawfully blocked and keys seized to prevent entry.
The workers in question were paid as General Workers/Batch Operators of which they were fully aware of and in agreement at the time of employment. If was reaffirmed during previous consultation processes. With the previous two (2) unprotected strikes, The Co-op did not enforce the Labour Relations Act, but preferred to use a consultation process to address issues raised. With the recent unlawful action, The Co-op encouraged workers to follow grievance procedures as allowed for in the Labour Relations Act and the Disciplinary Code of The Co-op, however, it was rejected.
The feeding plant has never provided medication for animals as previously reported.
Fortunately, during the unprotected strike, alternative arrangements could be made to supply farmers with the most critical animal feed to prevent any harmful effect on farming businesses that supply valuable agri-products to the nation.
The Co-op has invested in the Fish River Valley which benefited the community of Cookhouse through inter alia job creation for more than 4 years and is saddened that these malicious actions by a few will impact negatively on the economic and social wellbeing of people.
As part of its corporate responsibility, The Co-op is actively involved in community development, in particular Cookhouse. Engagement on any community forum level is welcomed.
One of the core objectives of The Co-op is to promote the development of small-scale farmers. These developmental agri projects currently provide more than 1 380 permanent jobs with over 9 900 beneficiaries! It further calculates into thousands of households (66 050 individuals indirectly) supported by agricultural development projects that are driven by The Co-op. This also speaks to The Co-op’s vision to make farmers profitable.
Farmers will still be able to feed their livestock as feed is available at the trading branch in Golden Valley. Custom-made bulk feed orders can still be delivered from outside of Cookhouse.
In its commitment to local community development & economic growth, vacant positions have since been advertised locally. It is expected that operations at the factory will resume very soon.
ISSUED BY THE CO-OP.
5 FEB 2021