Solidarity again tackles DCS in court

On Friday, trade union Solidarity again tackles the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) in the Labour Court in Cape Town about the DCS's disregard of the court's earlier ruling that not only national demographics should be taken into consideration in its implementation of affirmative action. The DCS argues that the ruling need not be implemented as the department has lodged an appeal against it.

Dirk Hermann, Solidarity's Executive Officer, says the trade union will seek interim relief in terms of which the DCS would be forced to adhere to the court order until the case is heard by the Labour Appeal Court. ‘The DCS indicated initially that it would respect the ruling and would revise its affirmative action policy in accordance with the Act and in line with the court's ruling. However, it appears that the DCS is determined to use the national demography, thereby evading its obligations in terms of the court order. Although Solidarity has requested the DCS not to advertise the posts for which the applicants in the case had applied pending the appeal, the DCS has, nevertheless, indicated that it was going to advertise the posts. We will therefore make sure the DCS adheres to the court order to ensure that the DCS does not continue to discriminate.'

Leave to appeal has already been granted to both parties.

Members of the media are cordially invited to attend the court proceedings:

Date:        Friday 31 January 2014

Time:       10:00

Venue:      Labour Court, Twinell House, 113 Loop Street, Cape Town

Statement issued by Dirk Hermann, Executive Officer: Solidarity, January 30 2014

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