The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) is consulting its members on the wage offer in the metal sector, the union said on Sunday.
Spokesperson Castro Ngobese said Numsa held a special national executive committee (NEC), which was attended by worker leaders from across the country and members of the national bargaining team.
“The special NEC has agreed to consult members on its deliberations in relation to the ongoing strike,” he said in a statement. “We call on all our striking members to join picketing lines tomorrow [Monday] morning to receive the deliberations of the NEC.” Over 200 000 Numsa members in the metal and engineering sector downed tools on July 1, demanding a salary increase of 12%, down from their pre-strike demand of 15%.
They also demanded a R1 000 housing allowance, and a total ban on labour brokers. The union announced on July 13, that it had lowered its wage demand to 10%. Ngobese said a media briefing was planned for Monday afternoon to publicly communicate the union’s final decision Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant proposed a wage increase of 10% to low-level employees over the next three years.
The labour department and Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration facilitated talks between the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa and unions after negotiations between the parties deadlocked. The new proposal included a three-year agreement with increases of between eight and 10%, depending on whether the workers were higher or lower earners. – Sapa