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Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act No. 66 of 1995)

Notices

Bargaining Council for the Furniture Manufacturing Industry

South Western Districts

Main Collective Agreement

Part lll

Annexure F : Conciliation and Arbitration Guidelines

8. Representation at conciliation proceedings

 

(a) Section 135(4) explicitly states who may appear or be a representative in conciliation proceedings. A Conciliator does not have discretion to allow a person not listed in subsection (4) to appear or act as a representative.

In the conciliation proceedings a party to the dispute may appear in person or be represented only by—

(i) a director or Employee of that party; or
(ii) any member, office bearer or official of that party's registered Trade Union or registered Employer's organisation.

 

(b) If a party objects to a representative or the Conciliator is of the opinion that a representative is not authorised in terms of section 135(4), the Conciliator must decide whether that representative may attend.

 

(c) A dispute about the status and entitlement of a representative is a factual dispute. The Conciliator may call upon any person to demonstrate why he or she should be admitted as a representative in terms of section 135(4) of the Act. The Conciliator may request documentation, such as the constitution, pay-slips, the contract of employment, the prescribed form listing the directors of a company and recognition agreements. Representatives must be prepared to tender evidence in support of their status.