The Trainmen Workers Union (TWU) has applied to the Supreme Court seeking an order setting aside the Labour Court ruling which was made in favour of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ).
The ruling set aside the union’s registration.
NRZ and TWU are embroiled in a wrangle over the registration of the union which the parastatal deems unconstitutional and illegal. TWU registered with the Registrar of Labour.
At the peak of the wrangle, four other unions, the Zimbabwe Amalgamated Railway Workers Union (Zarwu), Railway Yard Operation Staff (Rayos), Railway Artisans Union (Rau) and the Railway Association of Enginemen (Rae) had joined hands with NRZ to fight against the registration of TWU. Rae later pulled out.
Last year NRZ and the four unions contested the legality of TWU at the Labour Court.
Labour Court Judge President Selo Nare on October 3 last year ruled that the union was not properly represented and Abel Mahlangu had no locus standi to represent it.
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This prompted Mahlangu to appeal to the Supreme Court on November 22 last year.
In its notice of appeal the union argued the Labour Court was not well informed about its status, hence its negative ruling.
“On the main case, respondent being the employer could not validly dispute the order for registration of the applicant when it was legally barred from the initial accreditation process before the Registrar of Labour,” reads part of TWU’s notice of appeal.
The union complained that NRZ’s opposition to its registration violates the provisions of the Constitution, Labour Act and international labour statutes guaranteeing the right to run trade unions and freely associate.
NRZ spokesperson Fanuel Masikati on Friday confirmed the matter was now at the Supreme Court.