The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) on Sunday said 70 000 motor retail workers were ready strike nationally if mediation with the Retail Motor Industry Association (RMI) failed.
”Final meetings in a last bid mediation process to remove the impasse over wage issues will be held with RMI on Monday and Tuesday. They are offering a wage increase of four percent for the lowest paid workers across the board, while Numsa demands 10% on actuals across the board and implementation of the Agency Shop agreement,” representative Dumisa Ntuli said.
He said the new Labour Relations Act gives the right to demand that all workers who do not belong to trade unions must pay an agency fee to unions in those workplaces.
Ntuli said employers have not adjusted wages to keep up with the rise in food prices.
”The four percent wage increase proposed by employers is pushing workers further into poverty and discourages productivity. Workers are bearing the brunt of an ever increasing inflation rate eating into wages,” he said.
Ntuli said RMI failed to accept the connection between high wage increases and industrial growth.
He said RMI sector workers included petrol attendants, car dealers, panel beaters, mechanics and spare part salesmen. – Sapa