/ 26 January 2000

VOLKSWAGEN SHUTS PLANT OVER STRIKE

VOLKSWAGAEN South Africa announced on Monday evening that it has closed its Uitenhage plant in the Eastern Cape indefinitely following a three-day strike by workers. Spokesman Matt Gennrich said it is impossible for the company to continue production without its workforce, especially when there are concerns of intimidation by a few employees. Workers embarked on unlawful industrial action on Friday after 13 shop stewards were suspended by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) for bringing the union into disrepute.