construction site . We are mindful of the need for our sector to improve productivity levels and to be more competitive both domestically and internationally .
A few minutes ago I described this as an historic agreement . I did so because , for the first time in a decade , we were able to reach a Settlement Agreement without any industrial action . We experienced a week-long strike in 2007 , a twoweek strike in 2011 and a month-long strike in 2014 .
As we sign this Settlement Agreement , I have to set the record straight by responding to some of the vitriolic , anti-SEIFSA propaganda that has been spread with gay abandon by NEASA CEO Gerhard Papenfus , whose organisation last signed a Settlement Agreement in 2007 , which was rolled over for another year in 2010 . NEASA claims , for instance , that SEIFSA represents only 13 % of employers in the sector , that this is an agreement between SEIFSA and NUMSA , and that we represent only big companies .
Regrettably , these are blatant lies gleefully spread by a man who knows only too well that they are lies – and yet he continues to spout them . The truth is as follows :
• Firstly , we have 23 independent employer Associations that are members of SEIFSA . Twenty-one ( 21 ) of them are party to the MEIBC , the bargaining council responsible for our sector . Collectively , companies that are members of these Associations employ around 170 000 people , who constitute by far the majority of employees on the bargaining council . Only one of the 21 member Associations registered with the MEIBC is not party to this Agreement .
• Secondly , while we acknowledge NUMSA as the largest union in the sector , we have good relations with all five unions and , contrary to NEASA ’ s nauseating propaganda , this is an Agreement between SEIFSA ’ s 20 member Associations and all five trade unions which are party to the MEIBC .
• Finally , members of our various Associations include both small , medium and large companies , with the vast majority of them ( 66 %) being small companies employing fewer than 50 people .
You may wonder , then , why Gerhard Papenfus persists in telling these blatant lies . Well , I cannot but also wonder . I don ’ t want to speculate about his motives .
Unlike our detractors , SEIFSA and its members believe that labour is an important , indispensable partner , and not an enemy . We believe that it is fundamentally important for employers and labour to forge a strong relationship based on mutual respect to be able to engage meaningfully on what needs to be done to improve the welfare of the sector . We believe that the two stakeholder groups need to strive for win-win solutions at all times , because there is no business without labour , and there are no employees without employers .
We acknowledge that we do not always agree and will not always agree on everything , but we at SEIFSA pledge to have any differences that may exist between us discussed constructively in an ongoing effort to ensure that we understand each other ’ s positions and , hopefully , eventually get to see things in the same light .
Therefore , we recommit ourselves to working closely with our labour partners to lobby the Government for policies that will enable business to thrive in order to create jobs and to make the country an attractive investment destination . We are deeply troubled by the way in which our beautiful country is led and by the corruption which has become so endemic . We call on the Government speedily to establish a commission of enquiry into the rampant State capture allegations , to offer ethical leadership and to ensure greater policy coordination within its ranks in order to eliminate the embarrassing situation which often sees Cabinet Ministers publicly championing often contradictory , market unfriendly policies .
South Africa desperately needs much better leadership from our political leaders and a strong partnership involving the Government , business and labour if it is to realize its full potential .
I would like to thank our labour partners for the constructive manner in which we have engaged during these negotiations . We believe that it is vitally important that we continue to work together to resolve all outstanding matters and , more importantly , to ensure the continued survival of the embattled MEIBC .
I am privileged to sign the 2017-2020 Settlement Agreement on behalf of 20 of our member Associations , whose members collectively employ the vast majority of employees in this bargaining council . I sign it on behalf of our member companies of different sizes : small , medium and large .
Finally , I would like to thank the SEIFSA Negotiating Team , which was so ably led by Operations Director Lucio Trentini and was made up of representatives from our member Associations .
It was not easy . Neither we nor the unions are entirely happy with the agreement reached , but we can live with it . We believe that it is the best possible agreement that we could reach under the circumstances , and we believe that it is fair to both parties .
SEIFSA AT 75 - SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE MAGAZINE 87