If it’s not exorbitant inflationary prices that push 220 000-strong metalworkers’ giant union to shift the goalposts and consider embarking on major strikes, it is deliberate misunderstanding by the employers.
Almost a year after the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) signed landmark three-year wage agreements, employers are refusing to engage on above settlement wage increases and are threatening to interdict any industrial action on the grounds that prescribed below inflation increases for this year are legally binding agreements.
Numsa has impelled the employer federation Steel Engineering Industry Federation of South Africa (Seifsa) to reconsider entering into further wage negotiations for increases above agreement settlement levels because salary increases for July 1, 2008 were below inflation.
Following the uncontrolled rising interest rates beyond 15%, inflationary food prices, rocketing consumer price index (CPIX), bond repayments and looming ever increasing petrol prices and electricity tariffs hikes, Numsa was forced to push employers to reconsider their stance on above long-term settlement wage increases. But, employers are refusing to consider further talks.
The union is unwavering in believing that though it accepted 8,1% and 7,1% increases this year for respectively lowest paid and highly paid employees, it is morally binding on employers to enter into a new deal because of the looming economic recession.
Employers’ refusal to engage in exploratory talks to resolve recessionary economic upheavals, will definitely stoke up rigidity towards metalworkers as below inflation increases will lessen the workers’ buying power and the economy as a result will not rebound to price and inflation stability, Numsa Metal Engineering national sector coordinator Lucas Mthiyane, said.
Numsa is considering seeking Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) advisory award if employers utterly refused to restart negotiations on the matter and mobilize for massive strike action in the engineering industry next month.
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For further information contact:
Mziwakhe Hlangani, Numsa national spokesperson
Cell phone: 082 9407116
E-mail : mziwakheh@numsa.org.za
Source
Numsa Press Releases