The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) will be participating in the mediation which has been initiated by the CCMA in terms of section 150 of the Labour Relations Act. In terms of the legislation the CCMA is empowered to invite parties who are engaged in a wage dispute, to participate in conciliation if the dispute is in the public interest.
NUMSA will be participating in this process, and we will adopt an open mind, in order to ensure that we play our role, in finding a speedy resolution to the strike.
NUMSA represents 286 out of 300 workers at Gautrain and our members began the strike on Monday. We are demanding a 9% wage increase and we are also demanding that Gautrain allow NUMSA shopstewards to represent members, and, for workers to be compensated with overtime, when they work 6 days a week.
We do not think our demands are unreasonable. The lowest paid worker earns R8000 P/M without any benefits. The cost of living is extremely high if one factors in the petrol price, and the fact that the average food basket costs over R5300.
However, Gautrain receives R2 billion subsidies from the state every year. Furthermore, Gautrain management rewarded itself with R22 000 in bonuses but blue collar workers were denied this bonus. This is unfair and it is part of the reason our members are on strike.
It is against this backdrop that workers’ rejected the bosses wage offer of 5.6% because this is way below inflation.
NUMSA also participated in a meeting with the Gautrain Management Authority earlier today, where representatives from the office of the MEC for Transport, were also present. The atmosphere of the meeting was positive and we hope that a speedy resolution will be found to settle the strike. We have always said the door to engagement remains open. However, as long as a meaningful offer has not been placed on the table by the employer, the strike will continue indefinitely.
We call on all parties to work with the union so that an amicable resolution to the strike can be founds
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Phakamile Hlubi-Majola
>NUMSA National Spokesperson
0833767725
NUMSA Head Office number: 0116891700
NUMSA Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NumsaSocial
NUMSA Twitter account: @Numsa_Media
NUMSA Website: https://numsa.org.za/
PDF DOWNLOAD: NUMSA will be participating in mediation with the CCMA to try and resolve the strike at Gautrain