Solidarity has called on ArcelorMittal to start wage negotiations, which have been delayed due to a dispute with another union, the trade union said on Thursday.
“Wage negotiations between the employer and the two trade unions have been delayed for months due to an unresolved dispute between ArcelorMittal and the other trade union at the company,” Solidarity spokeswoman Ilze Nieuwoudt said in a statement.
Around 500 Solidarity members at ArcelorMittal protested at the steel producers headquarters in Vanderbijlpark at lunchtime on Thursday.
ArcelorMittal spokesman Themba Hlengani confirmed that the union held a “peaceful march”.
Solidarity demanded that wage negotiations start immediately, as the wage increase should have been implemented on April 1.
“It is unacceptable that Solidarity's members are bearing the brunt of this dispute which has nothing to do with Solidarity. We therefore demand that ArcelorMittal enter into negotiations with us immediately,” Nieuwoudt said.
The union - which represents 3300 employees at ArcelorMittal - gave the company until noon on Monday to give it feedback on its demand.
Hlengani said ArcelorMittal would respond by then.
“The company will attend to the memorandum and respond within the requested time line,” he said in an e-mailed response to questions. - Sapa