Nehawu-members protest about dismissal of 32 workers at old age home in Standerton

A stand-off between management of the Kosmos Retirement Village and members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union on Tuesday, 6 October resulted in acknowledgement of receipt of a memorandum.

The old age home was cordoned off early the morning.

According to the manager, Mr Jack la Grange, precautionary measures were taken with the vacating of certain rooms, as well as checking the fire extinguishers and fire hoses. A stationary police vehicle, Kasselman Security Services and parked vehicles in Berg Street set the tone for the protest.

A neighbour, Ms Nthabiseng Mtshweni, and Mr La Grange were locked in discussion when the Standerton Advertiser arrived. Ms Mtshweni said negotiation between the parties will lead to a win-win situation.

The trade union decided to stipulate their demands for inter alia the immediate reinstatement of 32 workers.

According to Mr La Grange, the workers illegally left their posts on 28 March and were dismissed on 27 July. The case is to be heard by the CCMA.

The Covid-19 affects on the old age home was such that employees were instructed to sleep at the facility.

A caregiver, Ms Rhoda Maboja, said it began when the manager had a meeting with the staff on 29 March and some personnel argued their domestic responsibilities, with children and family at home. Ms Maboja alleged that Mr La Grange used strong language and the majority of workers left the facility on that Sunday.

The provincial deputy secretary of Nehawu, Mr Ben Sekwane, confirmed that the employer wanted them to sleep at the facility during lockdown.

According to Mr Sekwane, the manager allegedly said the workers had the coronavirus, without testing them.

Other demands of the union are the honouring of the agreement, fair labour practices and that workers be treated with respect and dignity.

The newspaper posted an article on its website on 1 April, in which the facility requested the assistance of two trained nurses.

Rev Riaan Botha, chairman of the board, then indicated that their biggest fear was that visitors and staff could spread the virus to the elderly.

A case of crimen injuria was opened against the manager after he allegedly said to a worker that she could spread the virus.

Volunteers heeded the call to offer their services at the old age home and by 3 April, the Department of Social Development and Department of Health ascertained the situation.

Ms Catrien van der Westhuisen, coordinator of communicable diseases from the Department of Health, outlined a few measures during the lockdown.

Matron Annatjie Steyn, who was also present at the meeting, said they were coping at that stage and no patient was neglected.

Representatives from the departments finally concurred that they were comfortable with the measures taken.

The need for nursing and caregiver staff was posted on the newspaper’s website on 15 April.

A contract for a minimum of four months had to be signed and requirements included medical fitness, no police record and immediate availability. Shift work was required and Covid 19-testing was done beforehand.

Living at the premises was required for the employees.

The infection number was monitored by 4 May, temperatures of residents were taken daily and nursing staff had to fill in a questionnaire about their health. All the residents were in self-isolation by 15 July.

Mr La Grange released the statistics of the facility on 21 July with 19 positive cases, two negative and 30 results being waited on. Altogether 30 workers tested positive for the coronavirus, five negative and they were waiting on 18 results.

The situation changed when Matron Steyn accompanied 18 patients, who tested positive for the virus, to Barberton on Friday, 24 July.

It was to a specific geriatric Covid-19 hospital and the old age home was entirely decontaminated.

More police officers arrived later on Tuesday and tried to negotiate with Mr La Grange to accept the memorandum in the middle of the circle of protesters.Mr La Grange was adamant that the document will be accepted, not signed, from his vantage point behind the red tape.

After a sometimes inflammatory speech of the trade union, Mr La Grange and Rev Botha laid a charge against the provincial deputy secretary of Nehawu, Mr Ben Sekwane. An allegation that management steals money prompted the action.

Nehawu and management agreed to a meeting at the Hervormde Kerk on Friday, 9 October.

The newspaper sent a WhatsApp-message to Mr La Grange on Monday, 122 October, enquiring about the outcome of the meeting.

Readers will be updated once comment is received.