The Dispute Resolution Centre at the Bargaining Council for the Civil Engineering Industry (BCCEI) is now open to handle party-to-party disputes.
The BCCEI represents the interests of all level four to nine Construction Industry Development Board companies.
These are companies rated to undertake contracts with a value of more than R1.5-million.
They are also members of the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors and their employees are members of the Building, Construction and Allied Workers Union, or the National Union of Mineworkers.
Having disputes heard by the BCCEI is advantageous to parties for a number of reasons, says BCCEI senior case management officer Merle Denson. “The primary one is that the BCCEI has a current database of skilled conciliators and arbitrators from which a panel of experienced commissioners has been selected.
“All commissioners sitting on this panel are CCMA [Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration] accredited and have extensive experience in this industry sector.”
A number of the commissioners have served on the Gautrain project, as well as at the Medupi and Kusile power station projects and should, therefore, have an intimate understanding of the complexity of issues common to the industry.
“Because the civil engineering sector is mature and very specialised, it was essential to secure individuals who understand this industry when overseeing or hearing a dispute. The use of suitably qualified commissioners will consequently ensure the fairness and quality of the arbitration award,” states Denson.
