South African metalworkers union, NUMSA, is claiming no automotive company is operating today (20 August) in the country as its huge walkout continues to cripple vehicle production.
The union maintains its strike call has been “100%” observed by 19,000 hourly workers, with their numbers swelled to nearly 31,000 as the knock-on effect from the shut-down snowballs into other automotive sectors.
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NUMSA has been coordinating its industrial action across all plants affected, claiming seven OEMs as well as truck and bus companies have been forced to suspend operations as employers grapple with the union’s 14% wage demand as opposed to the automakers’ 8% offer.
“The strike is 100% supported – no automotive company in South Africa is running production as we speak,” NUMSA chief automotive negotiator, Alex Mashilo, told just-auto from Johannesburg.
“As a result of being on strike as production workers, it affects the whole of the industry, that is why we say it is more than 30,000 workers.”
As well as the 14% pay demands, NUMSA is also asking for a monthly contribution of ZAR750 (US$74) towards housing costs and R125 per week as a transport allowance in order to address what it insists are “miserable” living conditions for its members.
The labour body maintains from the minimum wage of R6,551 per month, statutory deductions for unemployment insurance, medical cover and retirement plans, do not leave enough to cover rent and family expenses.
The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers (NAAMSA), countered its workers were among the most rewarded in South Africa, with stable job prospects and good employment conditions.
“The average package workers in this industry take home is the best – [it] compares very favourably to any other manufacturing sector,” NAAMSA director, Nico Vermeulen, told just-auto. “Other than oil and gas, it pays the highest levels of remuneration.”
But NUMSA insists even its 14% pay request will only partially address what it views as the monthly struggles its members face to make ends meet.
“Your take home pay per month is going to be less than what is required to pay rent,” said Mashilo. “What are you going to eat? How are you going to get to work? Where will you get the money to look after your family?
“In fact the 14% workers are demanding will not put them anywhere towards [being] able to live a decent life.”
Since the strike started yesterday (19 August), no negotiations between both parties have, as yet, begun.
