Kaya News Reporter
The National Union of Metalworkers South Africa has commenced an indefinite strike over pay increases.
Threatening to bring the car industry to a halt, the union and over 155 000 workers are calling for a total shutdown until their demands are met.
The metalworkers strike will impact the SA car industry and the supply of parts for new cars and accessories.
According to industry and union officials rallies and organised marches have commenced from Tuesday after talks with employer bodies reached a deadlock and arbitration failed.
#NUMSA #TotalShutdown – The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa is set to go ahead with its strike in the metal and engineering sector. pic.twitter.com/GqKPf8cPtK
— Kaya 959 News (@KayaNews) October 5, 2021
On Tuesday, thousands of NUMSA workers marched from Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown to the bargaining council office in Johannesburg. The workers rejected a 4.4% wage increase offer in the engineering sector and are demanding an 8% increase across the board.
Industry body Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa offered 4.4% for 2021, inflation plus 0.5% in 2022 and inflation plus 1% in the third year.
Thousands of NUMSA workers are here across the Mary Fitzgerald Square are preparing to make their way to the bargaining council office in the Joburg CBD.
Workers have rejected a 4.4 percent wage increase offer in the engineering sector. @KayaNews #NUMSAstrike pic.twitter.com/lVJRszpJLk
— Kat Sekhotho (@KatSekhotho) October 5, 2021
The metalworkers strike is expected to put further strain on the car industry which was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. Since the pandemic, car sales by almost 30% affecting both the domestic and export market.
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