Salary negotiations in an attempt to end a protracted strike by contract cleaners have failed again, the National Contract Cleaners’ Association (NCCA) said on Monday.
During negotiations under the auspices of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration last Thursday, the 16 labour unions tabled a revised demand for a 12,25% cost-to-company increase in urban areas and 14,25% in rural areas.
Employers then increased their offer to 7%, but reverted to the initial offer of 6,5% as an agreement was not reached.
Vincent Monyamane, spokesperson for the employers, said the failed negotiations were disappointing, but they would be available to continue negotiations with the unions at any time.
Unions initially demanded a 14% increase in urban areas and 17% in rural areas.
According to the statement by the NCCA, the unions represent about 20% of the 100 000 people employed in the contract-cleaning industry.
The strike started on August 1 after five months of negotiations.
”On August 21, following numerous incidents of violence and intimidation, employers obtained an interdict from the Labour Court of South Africa preventing the unions from engaging in intimidation, harassment or violence,” the statement read.
South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) spokesperson Ronnie Mamba said there were plans to hold more marches and protest action.
”The workers are very resolute and we just want this matter to be given more attention,” he said.
Mamba said the strike had the support of international federations in Europe and America who felt that no one deserved to be paid less than $100 in an industry that generates billions of dollars every year.
About 170 Satawu members attending the Cosatu congress at Gallagher Estate in Midrand protested outside the venue on Monday after discovering that casual workers were employed there.
Mamba said casualisation was one of the things the unions fought against, and now Gallagher Estate had hired casual workers due to the strike. — Sapa