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The Liberated Metalworkers Union of South Africa (LIMUSA) welcomes the arbitration award issued by the Dispute Resolution Centre (DRC) of the Motor Industry Bargaining Council (MIBCO) on the case between our Provincial Secretary of Kwa-Zulu Natal and TOYOTA BOSHUKU.

This victory signifies the nature of the situation that TOYOTA has put the Union under. TOYOTA has made it customary practice to target the leadership of LIMUSA and our members. It has always been clear that the actions of this company against the Provincial Secretary had little to do with any alleged misconduct but was more about a continuation of the witch-hunt against our leaders.

The arbitration award is clear that “this matter could have been handled differently, and more fairly”. The arbitration is clear that the charges were unnecessary and uncalled for. In fact, the arbitration is in agreement with the union that TOYOTA careless about the lives of its employees.

We have previously stated that we are convinced that TOYOTA is targeting LIMUSA in an attempt to weaken the Union. We are on record stating that TOYOTA has made it a priority to try and find malicious charges against our leaders in an attempt to silence them and suppress the consistency of the union in challenging unfair and undemocratic practices.

However, the results of this arbitration reflect the capacity of LIMUSA in championing working class interests. We are neither intimidated nor shaken by any company or person who undermines workers, suppress them and/or even practice hegemony over their rights.

We are also of the view that the charges that TOYOTA placed upon our Deputy President are equally of the same nature. They are equally as ridiculous and pathetic as the charges which were imposed on our Provincial Secretary.

We want to state it categorically clear that we are a fighting union which is always ready to enter the battlefield and defend workers. Therefore, we will never be apologetic in representing the best interests of metalworkers regardless of any tactics, threats and onslaughts directed at us.

Issued by LIMUSA