Numsa takes wage offer to members

The US has warned that continued labour volatility could have negative impacts on future investment in South Africa.

The US has warned that continued labour volatility could have negative impacts on future investment in South Africa.

Published Jul 28, 2014

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Johannesburg -

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) is consulting its members on the wage offer in the metal sector, the union said on Sunday.

Spokesman Castro Ngobese said Numsa held a special national executive committee (NEC) which was attended by worker leaders from across the country and members of the national bargaining team.

“The special NEC has agreed to consult members on its deliberations in relation to the ongoing strike,” he said in a statement.

“We call on all our striking members to join picketing lines tomorrow morning (Monday) to receive the deliberations of the NEC.”

More than 200 000 Numsa members in the metal and engineering sector downed tools on July 1, demanding a salary increase of 12 percent, down from their pre-strike demand of 15 percent.

They also demanded a R1 000 housing allowance, and a total ban on labour brokers.

The union announced on July 13 that it had lowered its wage demand to 10 percent.

Ngobese said a media briefing was planned for Monday afternoon to publicly communicate the union's final decision.

Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant proposed a wage increase of 10 percent to low-level employees over the next three years.

The Labour Department and Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration facilitated talks between the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa and unions after negotiations between the parties deadlocked.

The new proposal included a three-year agreement with increases of between eight and 10 percent, depending on whether the workers were higher or lower earners. - Sapa

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