The wage dispute between the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa), the Fuel Retailers Association (FRA) and the Retail Motor Industry (RMI), remains unresolved after the two employer organisations failed to increase their wage offer to the union.
This comes after the parties met last week and the union rejected the 8,5% increase on minimum rates of pay. Numsa is demanding a wage increase equivalent to the consumer price index (CPIX) plus 5%.
It is also demanding that wages of all workers be backdated to the date of the signing of the collective agreement. Other Numsa demands include the signing of a one-year wage agreement and that area wage differentials be removed immediately.
Numsa spokesperson Dumisa Ntuli said the union would resume an indefinite primary strike action by 60 000 workers on September 1, followed by a secondary
strike action at the seven car manufacturers that will involve 21 000 workers.
The parties will meet again on August 18. The wage talks cover 180 000 workers in petrol stations, component manufacturers, car dealers and panel beating shops.
“Unless the dispute is expeditiously resolved, we remain on constant course to strike at the end. The strike will affect many industries in the metal industry if there is no quick and creative resolution on the dispute,” Ntuli said. – I-Net Bridge