Vuyani Fonte

Experienced Employee Relations Specialist previously worked as a candidate Attorney in a law firm specializing in employment law, labour dispute resolution and appears in all employment related forums including the CCMA, Statutory Councils, Labour Court, Labour Appeal Court, High Court, Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court. Held a role as an Employee Relations Specialist with South African Airways, specializing in labour law and human resources function, a critical thinker,with good interpersonal and problem solving skills; to date I have twelve (12) years of employee relations experience, eight(8) years as a union representative, and four (4) years and six (6) months as an employee relations practitioner and specialist, a good communicator with a Bachelor of Law(LL.B), Labour Dispute Resolution Practice Certificate(LDRP). Currently undergoing training with Law Society of South Africa/Legal Education and Development (LSSA-LEAD) in practical legal training, while also working towards a Masters in Law (Labour Law). I am looking for a role as an Employee Relations Specialist/Manager. d

• 2020-Conducted a complex section 189A retrenchment process in South African Airways led by two Business Rescue Practitioners Les Matuson and Association and Adamantem acting jointly, and later included the Department of Public Enterprise, consulting with seven unions, South African Pilots Association (SAAPA),South African Cabin Crew Association(SACCA) National Union of Metalworks of South Africa (Numsa) National Transport Movement(NTM),Solidariteit, South African Transport Allied Workers Union(Satawu) and Aviation Union of South Africa(AUSA) which resulted in organized labour unions and representatives of non-unionized managers accepting a voluntary severance packages, a social plan and skills development program for employees who will be retrenched.
• SAA had 4700 employees,1000 were retained, a 1000 more placed in a social plan and development program for employees and the remaining 2700 laid off.
• 2018-2019Appointed a delegate for SAA in wage negotiations and other terms and conditions of service, business and organized labour reached a wage agreement without an impasse.
• Assumed employment relations specialist duties servicing In-flight Service Department at SAA, this department has approximately 1800 employees nationally, stationed in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
• Administrator and chairperson of SAA and Wider Management Bargaining Forum, SAA representatives negotiate with management representatives on terms and conditions of employment and mutual interest issues for managers.
• 2015Internship at SAA Legal Department, advising on legal matters to all departments within the organization.
• Review, draft contracts and ensuring that legal interests of the company are protected, legal obligations are upheld and dispensed in terms of the applicable legislation and internal processes and policies.
• Spent a month of work exposure at BMK Attorneys, in legal drafting.
• Volunteered at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) for three months, shadowed a commissioner on pre-arbitration processes, conciliations and arbitrations.
• 2014Participated in an in-house leadership empowerment program, tasked with finding ideas that can contribute to SAA Long Term Turn Around Strategy, this included an in-depth research and understanding of the organization, business dynamics, and the regulations concerned, my team made a presentation of rotational block roster which aimed at fair rotation of flights per capita, with the aim of improving attendance, increasing productivity and saving costs on salary payments.
• 2013 Elected union representative for SATAWU, and subsequently elected deputy chairperson of shop steward’s council.
• Delegate in wage negotiations on behalf of organized labour with SAA, employer and organized labour reached a wage agreement without an impasse.
• Represented SATAWU in a multiparty negotiation which resulted in the drafting of SAA Main Bargaining Forum Constitution (Recognition Agreement).
• Represented employees in internal disciplinary hearings, union verification and grievance processes.
• The course provides law graduates with the opportunity to acquire and develop practical legal skills in:Wills and Estate Law PracticeInsolvency Law Practice Personal Injury Claim PracticeLegal Costs PracticeDrafting of Contracts PracticeProfessional Legal Ethics PracticeLabour Dispute Resolution Practice Alternative Dispute Resolution Magistrate Court Practice Labour Court Practice High Court PracticeConstitutional Court PracticeUniversity of South Africa [2019-not completed]Candidate, LLM (Labour Law)Module in creditsAdvanced Individual Labour LawAdvanced Collective Labour Lawe.