South Africa’s powerful National Union of Metalworkers (NUMSA) says tens of thousands have started a huge pay strike today (19 August), adding it had also applied for permission to organise a march to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers (NAAMSA), in support of a 14.5% wage increase.
The union claims 31,000 members have walked out in a row concerning wage levels and “miserable” living conditions that see workers earn around US$2.46 per hour.
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“The strike has started, all of the plants are on strike,” NUMSA automotive chief negotiator, Alex Mashilo, told just-auto from Johannesburg, although the union held out the possibility of more talks with the Automobile Manufacturers Employers Association (AMEO).
“We are available to participate in talks at any stage – the strike will go on until there is agreement. NAAMSA is interesting in profit-making and our interests are the living conditions of workers.
“The wages they earn [do] not enable them to live a decent life. They have had to take this position – to go on strike – as a mechanism of last resort.”
NAAMSA has cautioned the strike could damage confidence in South Africa’s export potential, with the organisation estimating the walk-out will lead to a daily production loss of 3,300 vehicles.
The manufacturers say NUMSA is demanding a 14.5% pay rise with the employers tabling an offer of 8% for the first year compared to a South African inflation rate of 5.6%.
But NUMSA counters with what it claims is the inability of its members to pay for adequate housing, insisting: “It is no use to have an angry workforce – because they live under miserable conditions of life they can’t afford housing,” said Mashilo.
“We are more concerned about the living conditions of workers than the cars they produce.”
Mashilo added NUMSA was organising rallies in support of its dispute, with applications currently being filed to allow a march to NAAMSA headquarters in the South African capital of Pretoria.
AMEO confirmed industrial action had started but insisted it would be “working around the clock” to ensure both sides resumed negotiations.
“This [strike] has stopped work at seven plants,” AMEO chairman, Thapelo Molapo, told just-auto from Durban. “We had discussions on Friday night and have been working during the weekend.
“We hope while the strikes are in effect, they will be done with regard to the rules, that it will be peaceful. The feedback we have received is, it is peaceful.”
NAAMSA was not immediately available for comment.
