The Civil Engineering Contractor January 2019 | Page 7

POLICYMAKERS
“We will have labour peace in the industry,” says Nick Faasen.
training, expert input, specialised facilitation and most
importantly, the building of trust.
“For negotiations to be successful, the parties must develop
trust alongside an in-depth and common understanding of the
real issues facing their sector,” he says. “This was especially
vital given the dire straits in which the civil engineering
industry finds itself; a very delicate balance was required
from the negotiators if they were to ensure the survival of
the sector.”
“This approach represents a significant departure from the
conventional, adversarial approach adopted in most industrial
relations engagements,” says Faasen. “It has certainly shown its
value in this sector, which has avoided strikes for many years
despite very trying economic conditions.”
Faasen commenced his career in the police but has been
involved in labour relations for most of his career, having
started working for his first bargaining council, the Metal
www.civilsonline.co.za
and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC), in
May 1980. He has seen them evolve over the decades and
says that the experience gained assists him greatly to cultivate
a collaborative approach. He believes the BCCEI endeavours
to create a new approach for how bargaining councils must
evolve in the future. “They need to change because they need
to be in touch with what their industry wants from them.”
Faasen forecasts another tough year in 2019. “There are
some glimmers of optimism, but the reality is we’re entering
an election year. We are excited to hear more details about
President Ramaphosa’s stimulus package, the government’s
R50-billion in infrastructure spend, and the R400-billion
infrastructure fund, but there are no details yet.”
In the meantime, the civil engineering industry is living on
scraps: the five-year N2 Wild Coast toll road upgrade, the
renewable energy plant being constructed, and the promise
of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. nn
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