Durban - Members of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), who are striking to demand an increase of R3.22 an hour from Toyota, their employer in Durban, have accused their leaders of betraying them and have called on them to resign.
The striking workers stopped operations at the country’s biggest motor manufacturer, which is near Prospecton, on Monday.
While they were protesting at the main entrance on Wednesday, the workers, most wearing Numsa T-shirts, hurled insults at the union’s regional leaders. Others called for a new union.
“We want phone numbers of Amcu [the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union] because we want to join a new union,” said worker Mandla Mnyandu.
“As soon as I join the new union I will burn my Numsa T-shirt because this union has failed to fight for our demands.”
Amcu was involved in the recent Lonmin strike, which left 36 mineworkers and two policemen dead.
On Wednesday, the strikers carried placards calling for former ANC Youth League president Julius Malema to support their action.
“Our regional secretary, Mbuso Ngubane, and our shop stewards have not been supportive to our demands,” said one striker.
“When we return from the strike we will sign a petition demanding a change of leadership in Numsa.”
Toyota spokesman Leo Kok said the company had shut down production when the workers had refused to work on Monday.
“Our management is currently in Durban negotiating with the union and some staff members, but I do not have an update of what is happening there,” said Kok.
He declined to divulge how much the company had lost as a result of the strike.
In a statement on Wednesday night, Johan van Zyl, the chief executive of Toyota SA Motors, said the unprotected strike revolved around the implementation of a 2010 national bargaining forum wage agreement.
“We are confident that we will be able to resolve the issue soon and hope to restart production at the first possible shift,” said Van Zyl.
Meanwhile, the truck drivers’ strike, now in its second week, continues to be marred by violent attacks on working drivers.
Sapa reports that in Cape Town two trucks were set alight and a third was pelted with stones on Wednesday.
Motorists on the N3 between Joburg and Durban also reported seeing convoys of 10 to 15 fuel tankers travelling under heavy police guard.
The drivers want a 12 percent salary increase, but their employers have offered 8.5 percent for next year, and 0.5 percent the following year. - The Mercury