OVER 1300 Volkswagen workers dismissed from the Uitenhage plant in February have applied for arbitration after failed attempts at conciliation earlier this month. The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration on Tuesday said that the arbitration process will take place from May 15 to May 19 at the CCMA’s offices in Port Elizabeth. The dismissed workers are demanding they be reinstated, arguing that Volkswagen has not properly communicated its ultimatum that striking workers either return to work or face dismissal. Workers at the plant downed tools on January 20 in protest against the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa’s decision to suspend 13 shop stewards accused of bringing the union into disrepute. VWSA said the two week strike cost the company about R25-million a day.