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Trade union Solidarity celebrated its 110th anniversary in 2012 by ploughing back more than R205,7 million into the lives of its members and their communities. The trade union said today in a Christmas message to its members that 2012 had been very successful, in spite of widespread uncertainty in the labour sector.
 
According to Johan Kruger, spokesperson for Solidarity, the trade union’s legal department showed its mettle between January and November by negotiating compensation worth more than R205,7 million in legal cases on behalf of Solidarity members. This compensation consisted of pay-outs totalling more than R155 million in respect of occupational health and safety claims and compensation amounting to more than R50,6 million that was negotiated during Labour Court cases and general litigation.
 
‘Solidarity’s experts in the fields of occupational health and safety, general litigation and labour law issues dealt with nearly 88 disciplinary hearings, 301 conciliations, 251 arbitrations, 430 Labour Court consultations, 53 court appearances and 9 prehearings in 2012,’ said Kruger. Furthermore, Solidarity paid out R6,9 in claims for membership benefits in 2012. Of this amount, R6,5 was paid out in respect of the Solidarity funeral benefit, R383 750 was paid out regarding the maternity benefit and R25 500 was paid out with respect to the permanent disability benefit.
 
Further, Solidarity, in cooperation with all the other organisations of the Solidarity Movement, embarked on 110 Do Good projects across the country as part of its anniversary celebrations. One of the projects was renovating Hoërskool Hercules on 22 June 2012, the day on which the trade union celebrated its 110th anniversary. The whole Solidarity Movement substituted their neat office wear for overalls on this day. The school’s classrooms were painted, the garden was revamped, the stage in the school hall was restored and a trauma centre with professional therapists was established– to name just a few of the projects.  
 
However, Solidarity’s main goal this year was to curb unfair practices in the workplace. Gideon du Plessis, General Secretary of Solidarity, said the trade union made a concerted effort to curb unfair labour practices during 2012. ‘It was an extremely busy year on various fronts and our labour relations team and legal department were, as in previous years, very busy putting our motto of “we protect our people” into practice.’
 
According to Du Plessis, the events at Lonmin’s Marikana mine and the unrest in the mining industry changed the labour relations dispensation in South Africa permanently. ‘The depth of Solidarity’s structures was confirmed during the crisis by the extremely competent manner in which our full-time shop stewards took over the reins and brought stability amid an atmosphere of uncertainty and anarchy in the workplace,’ he said.
 
He nevertheless warned that 2013 would bring many challenges, adding that everyone at Solidarity would rest and recharge their batteries during the festive season in order to be ready to meet these challenges head-on. ‘The unfavourable climate of labour relations that was created by the mining unrest is likely to spill over into 2013. We are ready for any challenge that we and our members may come across.’
 
The Solidarity Movement wished all South Africans a merry Christmas and thanked its members for their loyal support. ‘We wish you a peaceful and joyous time in the company of your loved ones. May God bless and keep you during the festive season,’ Du Plessis said.