The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) said on Wednesday it is negotiating with striking workers from petrol stations, car dealers and panel beaters following discussions with the Automobile Manufacturers Employers’ Organisation (Ameo).
The talks centred around how best to resolve the wage impasse and will resume on Friday.
However, Numsa said in a statement workers will decide whether the strike will continue next week. The strike started on Tuesday.
Ameo has offered a wage increase of 6,5% across the board.
Numsa spokesperson Dumisa Ntuli said: ”In any wage negotiations consultation is crucial to get the mandate from workers and talk boldly on the mandate.
”Workers deserve a better increase taking into account that the prices of cars exceed inflation, the issue of price-fixing, increase in labour productivity, whopping salaries of directors and surging car sales.”
The union’s demands include:
- A wage increase of 10% for workers on grade seven and eight, and 12% for grades one and six;
- R10 per hour minimum wage for all workers;
- A night-shift allowance of 20% and an afternoon-shift allowance of 10%;
- A 40-hour week;
- Free transport home for workers knocking off after 8pm;
- The immediate removal of area wage differentials; and
- Four weeks’ bonus at the end of 12 months.
— Sapa