Institutional Memory - Interview with
Operations Director Lucio Trentini
S
EIFSA Operations Director Lucio Trentini joined the Federation on the eve of
democracy when the late Nelson Mandela was released from Robben Island and
formerly proscribed political parties – notably the ANC, the Pan-Africanist Congress
of Azania and the South African Communist Party – were unbanned. At the time, the
industrial relations sphere was also going through a transition of its own, with SEIFSA at
the forefront of the changes that were taking place. Twenty-eight years later, the industrial
relations sphere has undergone even more changes that Mr Trentini not only witnessed, but
was also a part of. This is his journey.
The Genesis
Mr Trentini joined SEIFSA in 1990 as an Industrial Relations Advisor and SEIFSA opened up
a career for him in an area he had always been interested in.
“Growing up, I always had an interest in exploring the relationship and dynamics between
employers and employees – and SEIFSA afforded me the opportunity to work in a field that
I really wanted to be a part of. I have, over the decades, progressed to a point where I have
moved from focusing exclusively on industrial relations, to operating at a more strategic
management level as the Operations Director,” he said.
Throughout his career, Mr Trentini says he has been fortunate to work closely with captains
of the metals and engineering industry as well as respected trade union leaders. Through
his work, he has contributed significantly towards the establishment of collective bargaining
within the metals and engineering sector as well as s haping the industrial relations space. He
is particularly grateful to three SEIFSA Executive Directors that he says have all contributed
significantly to his career growth in the industry.
“I am indebted to the current CEO Kaizer Nyatsumba, as well as his predecessors
Brian Angus and David Carson, who are all exceptional individuals with different skills,
characteristics and influences that have added to the SEIFSA heritage and make up. I am
very fortunate to have worked with these individuals who have, in their own ways, shaped
me into the person that I am today,” he says.
Opting to stay
Asked why he opted to stay at SEIFSA for almost three decades, Mr Trentini says: “Bigger
and much better opportunities have been presented to me over the years, particularly
during my formative years, but I decided to stay at SEIFSA given the passion that I have for
the industry as well as the exposure to numerous critical industry stakeholders, ranging
from key Ministers in Government, captains of industry and influential trade union leaders. I
also stayed because I felt that I was contributing towards addressing critical issues affecting
the metals and engineering sector, an important sector of the South African economy.”
Lucio Trentini
Operations Director
SEIFSA AT 75 - SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE MAGAZINE
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