OFM News previously reported that the Free State Education department closed down ten of its learning material and stationary warehouses located in varying parts of the Free State in 2017 and terminated the contracts of about 600 people. Nearly half of the employees took the matter up with their union, the Public Servants Association of South Africa (PSA), who then lodged the dispute with the council on their behalf this year. The PSA’s Jantjie Jack tells OFM News they want the employees to be rehired and made permanent, because the Department created a reasonable expectation when they renewed contracts annually for close to a decade. Of those eagerly awaiting the outcome of this matter, are the book packers’ former fellow employees who fell under different labour unions.

Jack says “those who have an interest can use the arbitration award”, because it is final and binding to argue their own case with the support of their respective union.

Jack is yet to respond to OFM News’ query on the determination.

OFM News