THE National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) is headed for a countrywide strike in the motor sector after employers failed to meet its demands.
Numsa said it met over two days with the employers including, Retail Motor Industries (RMI) and Fuel Retail Association (FRA), but negotiations deadlocked.
The motor industry employs about 306 000 workers nationally. And Numsa represents the majority, which is at least 90 000 members.
Numsa spokeswoman Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said it was unfortunate that FRA made an offer the union could not accept.
“They offered 4% across the board for all forecourt attendants. They have offered 3% for chars and 3% for cashiers. This is for the duration of the three-year agreement. Even worse is that this proposal is on condition that Numsa drops all other demands. RMI was expected to make an offer but has not yet done so,” she said.
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Among other things, the union is demanding a 12% increase across the board, for the overtime rate to be in line with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act for chapter 3 workers, scrapping of discrimination clauses against members of the sick and accident fund as well as night shift and transport allowance for garage workers.
Hlubi-Majola said they would be mobilising their members in the coming week.
“They have the power to stop the looming national strike in the motor sector if they put a meaningful offer on the table. We are always ready to talk, and there is still time to avert a strike,” added Hlubi-Majola.
