Unions found liable for strike damage

[Dave A]

The Supreme Court of Appeal has found that trade unions can be held liable for damage caused by workers during strikes.

In the judgment on Tuesday, which upheld an earlier ruling by the Western Cape High Court, Justice Mahomed Navsa wrote that the country "could not be subjected to the tyranny of the mob".

"In the past the majority of the population was subjected to the tyranny of the state," the Cape Times newspaper quoted Navsa as saying.

"We cannot now be subjected to the tyranny of the mob."

The high court ruling favoured eight people, including traders whose stalls were looted and smashed and motorists whose vehicles were wrecked, during a SA Transport and Allied Workers Union protest in the Cape Town city centre in May 2006.

The group is claiming R70 000 in damages.
full story from News24 here.

[IanF]

Wow now the Unions will have to behave responsibly. This won't be the end of this but it does start a great precedent.

[Justloadit]

At long last, there will be responsibility for actions, you break you pay. Of course it will be difficult to prove that the damage was caused bu union members, however it is up to the union members to ensure safety of other people when they are protesting, and if they see that there is a crime being committed, as good citizens they should make a citizens arrest to ensure safety of the public.

[Dave A]

At long last, there will be responsibility for actions, you break you pay.

My thought exactly. Long overdue, I reckon.

[AndyD]

Yep, long overdue but great news none the less.