Numsa Goes on Large Scale National Protected Strike, Declares War Against Employers
- The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa says it is at war with employers and their federations
- The trade union is accusing employers of trying to make workers earn slave wages with the offer they have brought forward
- One employer says Numsa's demands are unattainable and are disappointed that the trade union is taking strike action
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JOHANNESBURG - The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa(Numsa) remained steadfast in its demands when it submitted its memorandum to the Metal and Engineering Industry Bargaining Council (Meibc).
Tuesday, 05 October was the first day of the national protected strike by the trade union.
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Numsa stated in its memorandum that it was declaring war against employers and their associations for the agenda to sink already beleaguered employees into "slavery national minimum wage," reports Fin24.
The trade union believes employers have taken an opportunistic standpoint by refusing to offer employees adequate wage increases and as result, the Numsa says it will continue to protest indefinitely.
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Numsa is asking employers for a wage increase of 8% as well as a 2% above the Consumer Price Index (CPI), however, employers have only offered up a 4% wage increase, reports IOL.
Negotiations began in June 2021 but have been stalled which has resulted in approximately 430 000 workers putting their tools down until their demands have been met.
In addition to negotiating for wage increases, Numsa is also negotiating for family responsibility leave, paternity leave as well as a travel allowance of R1000 for all workers.
Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) CEO Lucio Trentini says Numsa demands are unreasonable and has expressed disappointment that Numsa is protesting at a crucial time for the economy.
Seifsa is offering an increase of 4.4% of the CPI in the first year, 2.5% in the second year and 1% in the third year. The federation stated that it will provide a provident fund as well as other incentives such as family responsibility.
General workers will earn between R12 000 to R15 000.
Numsa: Thousands of members march in response to only 4% salary increase
Briefly News previously reported that the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa was aggrieved by only a 4% salary increase as opposed to the 8% they request and as a result, thousands of members converged on Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown on Tuesday, 5 October.
Similar marches were expected to happen in additional provinces such as the Northern Cape, the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. The marches are a result of a stalemate with decision-makers in the engineering world who have not been given the green light for the desired salary increase.
The stalemate began in September and the union, with about 155 000 members, demanded a national shutdown thus holding the sector hostage until their demands were met.
Source: Briefly News
