Negotiations Update: Plastics Sector

NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE
PLASTICS SECTOR

Industrial Action

Dear Industry Employer

As previously communicated, NUMSA referred a dispute to the Centre for Dispute Resolution pertaining to negotiations within the Plastics sector (Division D14). The apparent purpose of this referral was to obtain a certificate on non-resolution which would have allowed NUMSA to include their members in the Plastics sector in the possible upcoming main agreement industrial action.

The matter was heard on 4 July 2017 where a number of jurisdictional issues were raised by employers which led to NUMSA withdrawing the dispute on 12 July 2017.

However, it seems from the contents of the withdrawal notice that NUMSA is of the view that the Plastics sector negotiations form part and parcel of the main agreement negotiations and that employees within the Plastics sector will be allowed to partake in the industrial action. This view is not supported by any of the employer party organisations to the Council.

Should a strike notice be issued in the Plastics sector, the Labour Court will be approached for an order interdicting the strike on an urgent basis.

We will keep employers abreast of developments in this regard.

Regards

Jaco Swart

National Collective Bargaining Co-ordinator