Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act No. 66 of 1995)NoticesBargaining Council for the Furniture Manufacturing IndustryWestern CapeExtension to non-parties of the Main Collective AgreementPart lB - Terms and conditions of employmentClause 35 - Time off for trade union activities |
| (1) | Shop Steward Training - For the purpose of attending training courses and /or training seminars arranged by the trade union which is a party to this Agreement, all shop stewards shall be entitled to three days paid leave per annum with effect from the date of the coming into operation of this Agreement, subject to the following conditions:— |
| (a) | The cycle of shop steward leave shall commence on 1 January of each year. Leave not taken by a shop steward and /or senior shop steward shall accrue to a newly elected shop steward and /or senior shop steward during any one -leave cycle. Shop Steward leave shall not be cumulative nor be transferable from one Employer to another or from one year to another. |
| (b) | Shop stewards' leave shall be taken only during the first eight calendar months of the year. |
| (c) | The trade union shall make the training course and /or training seminar content available to the Employer at least seven days in advance. |
| (d) | Prior arrangements shall be made by the trade union with an Employer for the release of the senior shop steward and /or shop stewards. Not more than 50 percent of elected senior shop stewards and /or shop stewards at any particular Employer's firm shall attend the training course and/or training seminar on any particular day. |
| (e) | A senior shop steward and /or shop stewards from any one Employer's firm shall not be required to attend a training course and /or training seminar on /over consecutive days. |
| (f) | The trade union shall furnish the Employer with written proof that the training course and /or training seminar, for which purpose the paid leave was granted, was attended by the particular senior shop steward and /or shop stewards. |
| (2) | Shop Steward attending trade union meetings - For the purpose of Shop Stewards attending trade union meetings which trade union is a party to this Agreement, all shop stewards shall be entitled to three days paid leave per annum with effect from the date of the coming into operation of this Agreement, subject to the following conditions:— |
| (a) | Sub -clause 1(a) and (b). |
| (b) | Prior arrangements shall be made by the trade union with an Employer for the release of the senior shop steward and /or shop stewards. Not more than 50 percent of elected senior shop stewards and /or shop stewards at any particular Employer's firm shall attend the trade union meeting on any particular day. |
| (c) | The party trade union must notify the employer in writing at least three (3) working days prior to the meeting that time off work for a Shop Steward is required. |
| (d) | An employer shall not unreasonably withhold such permission. |