In 2007 GMSA issued the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) with a notice to retrench 562 workers. Citing the global crisis, GMSA issued Numsa with retrenchment notices again in 2008 and 2009 February, for 582 and 420 workers respectively. Since this retrenchment spree by GMSA 1313 workers have lost their jobs.

Without consulting with Numsa and following due processes as prescribed by relevant legislation by April 2009 GMSA selected workers and issued them with letters stating that they have been retrenched. Numsa condemns this anarchy and declared a war of self-defence not only in the interest of union members and their families but also in the interest of communities in which GMSA is fermenting a social crisis through its unemployment creation of retrenchments.

Numsa presented a memorandum to GMSA yesterday, 18 May 2008 demanding that the company must respect the rule of law and processes embarked upon by stakeholders nationally and in the Eastern Cape Province to respond to the challenges posed by the global crisis. The union in particular demands that GMSA must consider other alternatives and stop retrenching workers. Failure for the company to accede to these demands shall be responded to by a far reaching action in addition to the relief that the union will seek from the Labour Court next Monday, 25 May 2009.

For further information contact Alex Mashilo: 082 9200 309 Numsa Spokesperson