Striking workers at the parts distribution centre of Volkswagen South Africa at Roodekop have rejected a proposal by the company over outsourcing, demanding job security for workers.
Sixty-nine members of the National Union of Metalworkers (Numsa) went on strike two weeks ago, demanding an end to the outsourcing of VW’s packing department at Roodekop, in Alberton on Gauteng’s East Rand.
A meeting between union leaders and VW management this week could not resolve the matter.
“Workers insist on the inclusion of a clause that gives the rights of the affected 19 workers to tender upon the expiry of the contract in two years’ time. This would form part of the Black Economic Empowerment initiative,” said Dumisa Ntuli, spokesperson for Numsa.
Although the company has, in the past, assured the union that all 19 workers have been redeployed to other jobs in the warehouse and that their job security and conditions remain unchanged, the union says those workers will no longer enjoy the same workers’ rights.
“It is common knowledge that redeployed workers become redundant because of duplication of tasks leading to retrenchments in the long run. Of course there is no guarantee that these jobs will be permanent. Workers become temporary and they are also not assured of their work. The company should know by now that labour brokers are notorious for changing conditions of employment,” said Ntuli.
Bill Stephens, the general manager of communication at VW, refused to comment on Numsa’s rejection of the proposed agreement, saying the union had not yet informed the company of their decision.
“The context of the clause is complex. It would be difficult for us to comment until we see the context of Numsa’s demand,” said Stephens.
“The termination of the strike is dependent on the clause being inserted,” said Ntuli.