/ 10 July 2007

Metal and engineering unions reject increase offer

Metal and engineering industry unions have rejected an offer employers put on the table on Tuesday afternoon, said Solidarity. Solidarity spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans said that after unions rejected the increased offer, employers held their own caucus meeting. Unions and employers were expected to meet back at the negotiation table on Tuesday evening.

Metal and engineering industry unions have rejected an offer employers put on the table on Tuesday afternoon, said Solidarity.

Solidarity spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans said that after unions rejected the increased offer, employers held their own caucus meeting.

Unions and employers were expected to meet back at the negotiation table on Tuesday evening.

It remained a ”strong possibility” the strike could be resolved ”within the next day”, said Kleynhans.

Unions and the Steel and Engineering Industry Federation of South Africa (Seifsa) have been negotiating in Johannesburg since 10am on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Seifsa spokesperson Dave Carson was ”reasonably confident” the strike could be resolved on Tuesday.

At that stage Seifsa said a movement upward from its offer of 7,5% to an 8,5% increase might be expected on Tuesday.

On Monday, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, Solidarity, the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers’ Union, the Metal and Electrical Workers’ Union of South Africa, the Mineworkers’ Union, and the South African Equity Workers’ Association all embarked on strike action following a breakdown in wage negotiations last weekend. — Sapa