Cape Town – The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has threatened to go on a “full-blown” strike after failed negotiations for a “meaningful increase” with employers.
On Monday, Numsa said it has been trying to negotiate with the employers through their representatives, the South African Road Passenger Bargaining Council, since January but has been continuously refused a “meaningful” salary increase.
The union’s demands include:
- Two-year agreement from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2025
- 7% increase for year one and year two on the minimum wage
- All employees will receive 7% increase on all allowances for two years
- On the demand for health insurance, or (primary healthcare as it is referred to in the proposed agreement), the employers want that issue to be dealt with at company or plant level, and not to negotiate it at the National Bargaining Forum (NBF).
“We have been trying to negotiate with employers since January through the South African Road Passenger Bargaining Council and we declared a dispute in February, but employers are stubbornly refusing to give workers a meaningful increase and if the employers do not come to the negotiating table, we will have no choice but to resort to a full-blown strike,” said Numsa.
NUMSA is preparing for a #NationalBusStrike over the Easter long weekend if employers in the bus sector do not make a meaningful offer. Our members are demanding medical insurance!
Details below…????#ForTheLoveofTheWorkingClass
❤??@IrvinJimSA pic.twitter.com/pbQ6gJoVIr— NUMSA (@Numsa_Media) April 3, 2023
The union said that the employers had so far proposed a 6% increase for three years, conditional that workers drop their demand for medical aid and insurance.
“We wish to state upfront that the mediators’ proposal does not reflect the position of the majority of unions. Numsa is the majority union in the bus passenger sector and we did not endorse the proposal,” said Numsa.
The union has since obtained a certificate to strike during the Easter weekend if their demands are not met and urged commuters to make alternative plans, as the strike is likely to disrupt services.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Twitter/ @Numsa_Media
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
