About 3 000 members of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) employed by the Port Elizabeth-based car manufacturer Delta were still on strike on Thursday and production had been severely crippled, Numsa said.
Union spokesperson Dumisa Ntuli said the continuation of the strike followed a rejection by the company to meet the workers’ demands on Tuesday.
The workers downed tools on Monday after the union and the company failed to agree on issues, including a sick leave policy that had led to the dismissal of 25 workers and disciplinary measures taken against 400 workers; the company’s failure to comply with the Basic Conditions Of Employment Act in terms of the 30 days sick leave cycle; and the introduction of ”teamwork” that had led to absenteeism, work overload, fatigue and stress among workers, Ntuli said.
”The company is hostile and stalling the process for the union to engage meaningfully. The company is stifling progress by refusing to comply with the law,” he said.
Ntuli said the union and the company would continue to engage in talks on Thursday and Friday to consider changes to the issues that triggered the strike. – Sapa