NUMSA strike: violence and intimidation

METAL INDUSTRY NEGOTIATIONS

 

THE INDUSTRY STRIKE IS IN ITS FOURTH WEEK

 

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."

Albert Einstein

 

NEASA'S POSITION ON THE LATEST WAGE PROPOSAL

 

 

Dear NEASA member

 

This serves to inform employers that NEASA has NOT ACCEPTED the wage deal proposed by the Ministerial task team to bring an end to the current strike. NEASA's mandate remains an across the board increase of 8%, subject to a lower entry level wage for new employees and the bringing about of a more flexible dispensation through an improved exemptions process.

 

On 22 July 2014 SEIFSA accepted the following wage settlement proposal:-

 

Year 1:

Grades F,G and H – 10%

Grade A – 8%

 

Year 2:

Grades G and H – 10%

Grade A – 7.5%

 

Year 3:

Grades H – 10%

Grade A – 7%

 

It is NEASA's view that any agreement making provision for wages on this level will be industrial and economic suicide. It will simply accelerate the downward spiral of the Industry. In any event, the NEASA negotiating team has no mandate to go beyond a 8% across the board increase.

 

Notwithstanding SEIFSA's agreement in respect of these wages, a deal between them and some or all of the unions, is still not finalised. Negotiations continue.

 

Employers also need to understand that any settlement between SEIFSA and trade unions are only applicable to the signatories of such an agreement. The 10 000 plus employers who are not SEIFSA members are not bound by any SEIFSA/trade union agreement. Any attempt to extend any agreement between them to the remainder of the Industry will be opposed by NEASA.

 

Employers who are not members of NEASA, or perhaps a member of any organisation about to sign an agreement, are advised to make sure that organisations negotiating on their behalf, do so with a clear mandate.

 

MAKE SURE YOUR VIEW AND FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES IS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION IN THESE NEGOTIATIONS.

 

Kind Regards

Gerhard Papenfus