/ 13 June 1997

Metal wage dispute

FRIDAY, 11.30AM

FIVE labour unions on Thursday declared a dispute with metal industry employers after the third round of industry negotiations deadlocked.

The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation said its final offer of between 8% and 8,5% was rejected. The unions demanded between 13% and 23%.The National Union of Metalworkers of SA, the National Employees’ Trade Union, the Chemical Workers’ Industrial Union, the SA Workers’ Union and the Mine Workers’ Union declared a dispute.

The parties will meet again on June 25 in the National Indistrial Council to discuss steps to end the dispute.