Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to the late trade unionist and activist Ronald Bernickow.
Bernickow, popularly known as “Bernie”, passed away on Monday after a long illness.
Deputy President Ramaphosa said the country has lost a giant who served the workers, the country and the labour movement with humble distinction.
“Bernie will be greatly missed by all those alongside whom he worked tirelessly to build a better South Africa and improve the working and social conditions of South Africa’s working class. I offer my sincere condolences to his family, friends and comrades,” Deputy President Ramaphosa said.
Bernickow was the Media Workers’ Association of South Africa (Mwasa) organiser and a determined activist during the struggle against apartheid.
Most recently, he served as National Senior Commissioner: Operations at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.
In 2014, Deputy President Ramaphosa appointed him as facilitator of the technical task teams that advised the Committee of Principals of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) on the formulation of a National Minimum Wage and the development of a new labour relations framework for the country.
“The historic Nedlac agreement reached by social partners benefited greatly from the facilitation undertaken by Bernie, who brought his vast experience as a seasoned negotiator, to bear on this important national task,” said Deputy President Ramaphosa. - SAnews.gov.za
