Electrical appliances manufacturer Defy may be teetering on the brink of going bust as the national strike in protest against “unjust retrenchments” begins on Tuesday (14th April, 2009).

The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) representing more than 4 000 employees in the company, has issued notice to embark on a secondary strike in Defy branches throughout the country next week.

Defy, the country’s premier stoves and fridges producer was in earnest restructuring and streamlining as a result of the global economic crash when it forcefully retrenched 88 head office employees.

Numsa had suggested in the ensuing consultative processes, that retrenchments should be scaled down in favour of reduction of lavishness benefits including retrenchments of some members approaching retirement in the supervisory and management structures in affected areas.

The management strongly rejected the union proposal which lead to the strike in Durban headquarters last week. Numsa’s displeasure was also deepened by management’s immoral arrangement which amounted to witch- hunt for considering retrenching only those workers who completed two years in the company. This is done in order to pay such retrenches paltry two – weeks retrenchment packages for each year completed.

Bonga Ngwane, Numsa local organizer in Durban said turmoil has already rocked Ladysmith branches who were preparing to go out on strike tomorrow (Thursday) after management instructed some multi-skilled staff members to prepare themselves to perform tasks of those who were supposed to join the national strike action.

The strike by mostly technicians, artisans and general assistants will possibly have severe effect on appliance components manufacturers.

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For more information contact:-

Mziwakhe Hlangani, Numsa national spokesperson

Mobile: 082 9407116

E-mail: Mziwakheh@numsa.org.za