By: ANG Reporter
A potential strike is looming in the auto and motor sector should unions and employers in the sector reach a wage deal in the current negotiations.
Briefing the media at the Birchwood Hotel on Wednesday the General Secretary (GS) of the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA) Irvin Jim issued a stern warning to employers in the sector. He said if talks broke down the union would have no choice but to instruct workers to down tools.
“Employers in auto simply make a decision that they will not make any offer to workers. Workers in the motor. I can tell you right now workers want an increase,” Jim said.
Jim said for the union a national strike was a last resort but an option that workers would take if they were pushed to the wall.
“We are making a clarion call to employers and we are appealing to you. The media tell them to make a speedy offer because if they do not do that we will be left with no option but to basically go on a strike,” Jim said.
NUMSA said workers in the auto sector were victims of the Russian war in Ukraine. Some workers were sent home when parts could not be found. The union further said workers were also victims of the floods that hit KwaZulu Natal. Among key demands was also a housing allowance and adequate working hours.
The looming strike in the auto and motor sector comes shortly after a strike by NUMSA members at Eskom saw the country being plunged into stage 6 load shedding.
At the same briefing, Jim announced the suspension of the union’s second deputy president Ruth Ntlokotse.
Ntlokotse is suspended pending an investigation into her role in a smear campaign against some union leaders.
Jim told journalists that Ntlokotse was suspended at the unions Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting.
Her suspension comes as the union prepares for its elective congress at the end of the month.
