The trade union Solidarity today said it is positive that it can effectively limit retrenchments at Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). This follows after the first official meeting regarding the retrenchments took place yesterday at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).

According to Jahni Cowley, Sector Coordinator of the Professional Services Industry at Solidarity, the trade union is satisfied with the manner in which the process has been conducted up to now. “We are very pleased with the process thus far. We feel that the CCMA is conducting the process in a very professional manner,” Cowley said. She added that the next meeting with the CCMA is expected to take place on 14 October 2014.

Cowley says that Solidarity remains committed to zero job losses at TIA. “Solidarity wants to help put the company on the road to prosperity by means of constructive and sensible consultations. We believe that retrenchments should always be the last resort, especially for a company whose growth and performance are under pressure.”

The trade union received a section 189A notice from the company earlier this month, indicating that as many as 75 employees will be affected by the retrenchment process. The company stated that it wanted to improve its efficiency and profitability by means of the layoffs.

Issued by Solidarity