The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) will be meeting with Wits management on Monday afternoon to discuss the latest wage offer. Earlier today we met with our members to share details of the offer.
The proposal includes an increase of at least 7% for the higher earners, and an increase of 9.2% for the lowest paid workers in grade 16 and 17. It also includes a proposal to end the low wages which were paid to workers who used to be under labour brokers
Details are as follows:
• Wits has offered to increase the salaries of workers between grade 9-15 by 7.80%
• Workers in grade 16 and 17 were formerly employed by labour brokers and received the lowest salaries of all employees at Wits. Because of the pressure we put on Wits management, they have offered them a 9.20% increase.
• Furthermore the university has proposed to establish a task team to integrate these workers fully into grade 15 by July this year. This will bring the lowest paid workers closer to the goal of achieving a living wage. They will earn the same as other workers who fulfill the same job description.
• The proposal includes the establishment of a task team to ensure that these workers have been absorbed into grade 15 by July this year.
• The ‘No work no pay’ principle will not apply to those who have leave days in January  which can be used to cover for their absence.
Whilst these are positive developments, our members have vowed not to return to work until the agreement is signed by all parties to make it legally binding. Our members will continue to picket peacefully on campus until the agreement has been formalized.
Only once that is done, will the strike be called off. We will be meeting with Management on Monday afternoon to finalize the agreement.
Aluta continua!
The struggle continues!
Issued by Phakamile Hlubi-Majola
Acting NUMSA National Spokesperson
0833767725
phakamileh@numsa.org.za