Refiloe Makintle

Dispute Client Liaison Officer | Labour Relations & Dispute Resolution Specialist

Johannesburg, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan MunicipalityMember since 14 April 2023

Dispute intake, assessment, and client liaison servicesCCMA and Bargaining Council case management and representationDisciplinary hearings, grievances, and misconduct processesCollective bargaining and union–management engagementConflict resolution and stakeholder facilitationAdvisory services on South African labour legislation (LRA, BCEA, COIDA, OHSA)Legal and procedural complianceCase analysis and problem resolution

About

Accomplished Labour Relations and Dispute Resolution professional with extensive experience within bargaining councils, trade unions, and statutory labour institutions. Demonstrated expertise in managing complex employment disputes, advising stakeholders on labour legislation, and facilitating fair, compliant, and procedurally sound resolutions. Recognised for strong analytical capability, sound judgement, and the ability to engage effectively with employers, employees, unions, and regulatory bodies.

Supported by a solid foundation in ICT, data analysis, and systems-based problem solving, enabling structured decision-making in high-pressure environments.

Experience

Dispute Client Liaison Officer - National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight & Logistics Industry - Gauteng

Act as a primary point of contact for parties to disputes, ensuring accurate intake, assessment, and allocation of cases in line with council rules and legislation.
Provide procedural guidance and advisory support to employers, employees, and trade unions regarding dispute resolution processes.
Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to ensure efficient scheduling, documentation, and case progression.
Maintain high standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and service delivery within a regulated environment.

Labour Relations Officer / Organiser - South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) / DETAWU

(2014-05 - 2015-04)

SATAWU (May 2014 – April 2015) / DETAWU (January 2018 – December 2018) – same role and responsibilities

Represented union members in labour disputes at the CCMA and Bargaining Councils.
Negotiated wages, working conditions, and organisational rights agreements with employers.
Provided advisory support to shop stewards and members on disciplinary, grievance, and dispute matters.
Recruited and organised members while strengthening workplace representation structures.
Compiled formal reports and presented matters to provincial leadership and executive committees.

UIF Intern - Department of Labour

Delivered frontline client service and administrative support within the Labour Centre environment.
Verified, captured, and processed UIF documentation and benefit applications.
Assisted clients with unemployment, maternity, and related claims in compliance with departmental procedures.
Maintained accurate records and correspondence using departmental systems.

Data Science Intern - iStudent Academy - Johannesburg, Gauteng

(2020-05)

Developed foundational competence in Microsoft Data Science and Azure cloud technologies.
Assisted with data preparation, model training, and deployment using Azure services.
Utilised SQL, GitHub, PowerShell, and Azure Portal in applied learning projects.
Gained exposure to data-driven analysis and cloud-based business solutions.

Trainee Security Analyst - Afrika Tikkun (Think Tank) ICT Academy - Johannesburg

(2020-02 - 2020-04)

Gained hands-on exposure to ICT support, hardware troubleshooting, and system maintenance.
Configured routers and implemented basic routing and switching solutions.
Acquired foundational knowledge in network administration and information security principles.
Completed training in IT Essentials, CCNA concepts, and Fortinet security technologies.