THE FACTS
Johnnie Hermaans was employed at JHM Sheet Metal when he was retrenched in August 2014. Apparently, he challenged his retrenchment, which resulted in a settlement agreement of R5 600 signed by himself and the company.
He was represented by union Lewusa during the settlement negotiations. The company failed to pay the client the agreed amount.
The client reported non-compliance with the settlement agreement to the union. The union completed arbitration referral forms for the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council, but there are no records that the referral forms were actually lodged with the bargaining council.
Johnnie said whenever he goes to the union they promise to get back to him, but they never do.
WHAT I DID
I sent the matter to Scorpion Legal Protection for investigation.
SOLUTION
Scorpion Legal reported that attempts to contact the union were in vain since their numbers rang unanswered. The bargaining council said there was no case reported and were advised there is nothing on their system. They will try to contact the union later as they suspect their offices are still closed.
