NATIONAL Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) members working in the engineering sector went on a national strike on Tuesday, 5 October.
They marched through the streets of Joburg, demanding an 8% salary increase and rejecting the 4,4% offer.
Many shops were closed as owners feared looting, but marshals and cops maintained order as members made their way to the offices of the National Employers Association.
Reading the memorandum, Numsa president Andrew Chirwa said: “We demand that all employers who are serious about industry stability and want to end this current strike instruct employer associations to sign an agreement with Numsa.
“If conservative employer associations refuse to sign a settlement of agreement so we can end the current strike, our message to all reasonable employers is to leave these associations and join the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa.”
One of the protesters said the conditions at her workplace were oppressive. “Where I work, you can be a young person with qualifications and answer to someone who doesn’t have any qualification,” she said.
- In KZN, Numsa members started their march at King Dinuzulu Park before heading to Durban City Hall.
When they arrived, Numsa deputy president Basil Cele read out their demands.
“As from Wednesday, we will strike outside the companies where we work.
“We will continue striking until our demand of 8% is met,” he said.
Cele said workers wanted five days of family responsibility leave.
“We want a R1 000 underground allowance for employees doing underground work,” he said.
The memorandum was handed over to three employer associations.
- In the Eastern Cape, Numsa members marched from Nangoza Jebe Hall to Vuyisile Mini Square in Gqeberha.
National treasurer Mphumzi Maqungo said: “A worker died in New Brighton while we were marching. He collapsed due to a seizure and was rushed to Mercantile Hospital, where he was declared dead.
“We blame employers for his death. We are left with no choice but to strike and withhold our labour until the bosses give in to our just demands. Bosses in the engineering sector do not want to give anything back to workers.”
