The new agency shop agreement in engineering provides an extra incentive to recruit new members. Jenny Grice explains why….

Numsa stands to get the bulk of the R2m per month from the new engineering agency shop agreement. This money will come from more than 60 000 unorganised workers.

They will pay the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC) 1% of their wages as an agency shop fee each month. The MEIBC will then pay the R2m across to all the trade unions registered with it.

The amount each trade union will get, will depend on its membership. According to MEIBC estimates, this could mean Numsa earning an agency shop income of almost R1.2m per month.

(see table below) But if we as Numsa can organise an extra 10% of this unorganised workforce (almost 6000 workers), Numsa could increase its income by a further R300 000 per month. But if we don't and other trade unions slip in and organise that 10%, then we could receive R400 000 less. Already there are signs that employers are calling in Mynwerkers Unie/ Solidarity to sign up unorganised workers.

So what are you waiting for – get out there and organise now!

Name of trade union 

Affiliated to:

Number of members

% of engineering workers organised

Estimated amount to receive from agency shop

SA Equity Workers Association

Unaffiliated

5534

3,56%

R71 713

Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union (Ceppwawu)

Cosatu

7335

4,73%

R95 281

Metal and Electrical Workers Union (Mewusa)

Nactu

11489

7,40%

R149 066

National Employees Trade Union (Netu) now United Association of South Africa (UASA)

Fedusa

16245

10,46%

R210 707

Mynwerkers Unie/Solidarity

Unaffiliated

22382

14,42%

R290 477

National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa)

Cosatu

92251

59,43%

R1 197 161

Source

Numsa News