NUMSA MEMBERS READY TO DOWN TOOLS IN DEMAND OF A LIVING WAGE!Tuesday 10 August 20101. The members of the NATIONAL UNION OF METALWORKERS OF SOUTH AFRICA (Numsa) in the automobile industry will down tools as from tomorrow Wednesday 11 August 2010, as a result of the stubbornness and big-headed arrogance by the Automobile Employers Organization (AMEO) to meet their wage demands as per collective bargaining agreement.
2. The strike action will affect the production of vehicles and see close to 31 000 workers working for Toyota, Ford, Volkswagen, Bavarian Motor Works (BMW), Nissan, General Motors, and Daimler downing tools. The automotive industry in general is the leading manufacturing sector in the economy of our country with the largest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contribution.
3. We are consciously aware that this industry is the strategic pillar of our economy. It’s economic and employment contribution goes far beyond just new automotive vehicle production – small, medium, heavy and extra-heavy commercial vehicles, and passenger vehicles. Thus we will never compromise our rights to bargain, including a right to strike at the altar of national interest or appeasing the powers that be!
4. The multiplier effects of the automotive manufacturing industry include vehicle and related parts retail, finance and insurance, service and repair workshops, fuel and oil retail, paint, components, tyres, glass, leather, textile, rubber, plastic and steel production, and transport generally.
5. The strike action is part of the tactical manoeuvre by the 31 000 strong workforce to exert pressure to the AMEO to accede to their demands. It is further consistent with the electoral commitment of the ANC-led alliance and the new President Jacob Zuma-led administration of decent work and sustainable livelihoods.
THESE ARE THE DEMANDS:
 One year-agreement Across the Board (ATB) wage increase of 15%  Short time/lay-off payment at 100% Short Term Contracts (STCs) must be entitled to all benefits and employed on a permanent basis after three (3) months.  Labour brokers to be scrapped  Hours of work must be 8 hours per day from Monday to Friday  Saturdays work to be paid 1½, and Sundays and Public Holidays work to be paid double respectively  CO2 Welders and Spray Painters to be populated in Skills Level 5 Six months paid maternity leave Scrapping of No further Claims Clause from the Automobile Industry National Bargaining Forum (NBF) collective agreement.
6. The strike action will mainly unfold at a PLANT levels in three provinces, namely KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Gauteng provinces.
The details are as follows;PLANT PROVINCE CONTACTTOYOTA, Prospecton, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Cde Mbuso Ngubane, Regional Secretary, 082 453 2858 / 079 502 3242DAILMER, East London, VW, Uitenhage, FORD, Port Elizabeth GM, Port Elizabeth Eastern Cape Cde Vuyo Bikitsha, Regional Secretary, 083 253 8647NISSAN, Rosslyn, BMW, Rosslyn, FORD, Silverton (All in Tshwane) Gauteng Mentjie Motsepe, Regional Secretary, 082 389 4050
7. The above details are not picnic spots or fan parks, but are strike actions spots by militant metalworkers. These strike actions will culminate into full-blown marches across the three regions as the week proceeds.Contact:Castro NgobeseNumsa National Propagandist – 083 627 5197 / 073 299 1595
Source
Numsa Press Release