A fiery protest ensued this morning after 434 unionised staff members from Evowood (formerly Masonite) who embarked on industrial action three weeks ago were dismissed.
This decision was communicated to the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union (Ceppwawu) members on Wednesday afternoon.
The decision to dismiss the workers comes after a disciplinary process was instituted against staff members involved in the industrial action, which started at the end of February.
Secretary of the Plant Level Ceppwawu branch Ayanda Mbatha commented this morning that the disciplinary action has taken place in their absentia last week.
He added that despite intervention from government, Evowood management had taken a unilateral decision to dismiss the workers and this ‘surprised’ workers. He pointed out that Ceppwawu members were specifically targeted.
“Of the more than 700 workers at the factory, only Ceppwawu members were dismissed. What is the employer’s intentions? This is a divide and rule attitude,” said Mr Mbatha. He did not want to comment on allegations of violence or fires.
“The workers are outside the factory demonstrating. They are also waiting for documents that are needed by the Labour Department.
In a press statement, Chief Executive of Evowood Louis Marais said that the Labour Court had issued an interim court order preventing employees from continuing on an illegal strike on February 27. On March 10, the court issued the final order.
READ THE FULL STATEMENT HERE: Evowood’s Estcourt mill remains closed after protracted strike action
He also confirmed that the company has acted on the findings of an independent commissioner and on Wednesday, issued a notice to dismiss 434 workers following a disciplinary process related to the illegal strike that brought production to a halt three weeks ago.
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