/ 22 August 2001

End of the road for auto strike?

Johannesburg | Wednesday

THE National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) will on Wednesday announce whether it is ending its strike in the automobile manufacturing industry.

Numsa representative Dumisa Ntuli said the union had spent Tuesday consulting its members.

It is expected to announce its decision at a press briefing at 2pm.

This follows a recommendation by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on Monday that Numsa and its employers settle their wage dispute by agreeing to a nine percent across the board increase.

Thousands of Numsa members downed tools on August 6 after a deadlock in wage negotiations.

The strike has affected production at all manufacturers to differing extents.

AMEO representative Dave Kirby said they too have had discussions with the CCMA.

He declined to provide details lest it upset any possible agreement but said that the pay increase aspect was not the most important to employers.

They remain very concerned about assurances of stability in the industry and ”building its future.”

He would also not say if AMEO would endorse the CCMA’s suggested nine percent wage increase if Numsa accepted it on Wednesday and ended its strike. – Sapa