Negotiations to halt the automotive component strike in South Africa could continue late into tonight (6 September) as both sides strive to reach a settlement.
The National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA) is claiming a 100% walkout of its 70,000 members in protest at wages and conditions, but is currently meeting employers in Johannesburg through the auspices of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI).
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“We can find a solution but it might be optimistic today,” NUMSA president Cedric Gina told just-auto.
RMI CEO Jeff Osborne confirmed to just-auto at a break from the negotiations in a Johannesburg hotel, that talks could continue “well into the night,” and that although progress had been made, there had been no significant breakthroughs so far.
“There is a very strong commitment to resolve this on both sides, absolutely, that is my sense,” he said. “We have got workers who are off in the automotive [sector] for around eight days and find themselves on a short pay situation.
“From a broader perspective, everyone understands the implications of this type of strike.”
