Tyre workers back at work
New wage rates:
Grade
Minimum
Spread
Maximum
Differential
1
R32.12
10%
R35.68
10%
2
R35.68
10%
R39.65
10%
3
R39.65
10%
R44.05
10%
4
R44.05
10%
R48.95
10%
5
R48.95
10%
R54.39
**
6
R58.74
10%
R65.27
20%
7
R70.49
10%
R78.32
20%
After a month-long strike, tyre workers are back at work. Theyhave secured:* 8,5% for 2007/8 (employers were only offering 7,5% when workers went on strike)* 7,5% for 2008/9 (or the CPI-X whichever is the greater but not more than 8%)* 7,5% for 2008/9 (or the CPI-X whichever is the greater but not more than 8%)But the strike was not just about wages.
It was about resisting employers' attempts to increase the number of normal working days to 340 per year and to make Saturdays and Sundays normal working days.
Both these contentious issues have been referred to plant level. Employers have also agreed:* to phase out labour brokers* that by 2012, all employers will pay a contribution of 10,5% for a worker's retirement fund* 5 months maternity leave paid at 30% (was only 4 months previously)* that those over 55 years who are retrenched will receive an extra 3 weeks basic pay* to pay workers their entire annual leave of 15 days at annual shutdown even if they take the balance of their leave in the first six months of the following year* to train a full-time shop steward to work on skills training
* to a process that will see workers move from the minimum rates to the maximums* to an additional 9 days compassionate leave* to provide those workers on medical aid with ARVs and to provide those who can no longer work, with ARVs until they get access from government sites* to an annual bonus of 8,33%; those that resign before the end of the year will receive a pro rata bonus* that if layoff goes beyond 30 days, employers must initiate Section 189A of the LRA * to four general meetings of two hours each
Basic metals companies give big increasesNumsa's negotiations in the basic metals companies have secured workers increases ranging from a high of 14% across the board for all grades at Assmang, Cato Ridge to a low of 7% for the highest grades at MMC, Highveld Steel and Samancor Chrome.In the table below we give you details of the wage increases in House Agreement companies as well as other big companies. Numsa membership in these companies is about 25 000.
New wage increases
Hulett Aluminium
Xstrata
Bayside
Hillside
Assmang
MMC
Highveld Steel
Samancor Chrome Alloys
Exxaro Coal and Glen Douglas Dolomite
Eskom
8% for highest; 9% for lowest grades;year 2 and 3 – 7,1% (highest grades) to 8,1% (lowest grades)
8% for highest; 11,5% for lowest grades
9% ATB
9% ATB; years 2 and 3 – 7,5%
Machadadorp: 10,55% on flex package + 3,45% = 14%;Cato Ridge: 14% ATB(8% for second and third year)
Lowest grade: 14% + R1000 once off settlement bonusRest 7% ATB + R2000 once off settlement bonus;Years 2 and 3:10% for lowest grade; 7% for highest
9% ATB;7% for years 2 and 3
9% ATB;7% for years 2 and 3
8% for highest grades; 10% for lowest grades
7,5% ATB with lowest paid getting an extra 2% to 3% increases
Breakthroughs at certain companies:ABET: At Exxaro Coal and Glen Douglas Dolomite some workers, subject to operational requirements, to attend ABET level 1 for 15 weeks on a full-time basis.Labour broker employees at Hulett Aluminium will not be placed on the production line nor be required to perform scheduled work.
At Bayside, positions occupied by labour brokers will be made permanent after six monthsEsops: Hulett Aluminium is committed to setting up an Esop, Xstrata will "engage on the issue" while Hillside is "considering" it.Artisan skills allowance: At Assmang, artisans will receive R2000 per month skills allowance.
Source
Numsa News
