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Now that an agreement is about to be signed between the six trade union parties and Seifsa to bring to an end the three week long strike in the metal and engineering sector which saw the economy losing approximately R300m per day, workers should not be threatened with lock-outaction by employer body NEASA, says Johan van Niekerk, divisional manager (specialist sectors) of the trade union UASA.

Because of the majority parties to the MEIBC will be signing the agreement, the latter can now be extended to cover all parties in terms of section 23 of the labour Relations Act, irrespective of whetherthey sign the agreement or not. Furthermore, the agreement will more than likely also be extended to cover non-parties in terms of section 32 of the LRA, says van Niekerk.

NEASA, which is not happy with the agreement reached between the majority parties, had a similar stance three years ago and failed when they eventually approached the Labour Court in an attempt to have the extension stopped. It is our contention that they will fail again. Our member have been advised that should any of the NEASA affiliated employers lock them out or threaten to do so, they must inform us immediately so that we can take the appropriate remedial action.

It has been a dynamic process of negotiations bothon the side of the unions as well as on the side of the employers. The intervention by the Minister of Labour during the process caused some sensitivities and minor delay but in the end, settlement could be reached and the strike has been called off, at least by UASA. It means that our members will return to workASAP.

The agreement reached and signed by all 6 trade unions addresses all the demands of our members and given the state of the economy, they can feel satisfied with what they achieved through their strike action and intelligent negotiations. In brief, the agreement entails the following:

Salary and allowances increased
Effective 1 July 2014
2014:   Grades F, G, H = 10%
            Grade A = 8%
2015:   Grades G, H = 10%
            Grade A = 7.5%
2016:   Grade H = 10%
            Grade A = 7%

Improvements on the following demands: 
·         Improved control over Labour Brokers

·         longer notice period for work reorganisation

·         dealing with short-time work

·         shop steward leave

·         working of fatigue shifts

·         insurance of employee’s tools

·         national exemption process

·         increased acting in higher grade allowance

·         better standby and callout benefits

·         improved arrangements during load shedding

The following items were referred to working groups to submit proposals within 12 months on how it will benefit employees and the Industry:
·         Medical aid for employees

·         Extending the scope of the agreement, to include non-scheduled employees

·         Training of artisans

·         Maternity leave benefits

·         A possible regional, sectoral and depressed area dispensation

·         Demarcation policy improvements

·         Non-payment of retirement fund benefits to MIBFA by certain employees

·         Improved IOD benefits

·         Dealing with project work such as Kusile and Medupi

·         Improved sick pay benefits

·         An improved grading system

·         Possibility of housing support for employees

In conclusion, all recognised trade unions retains the right to do plant level negotiations for non-main agreement items in terms of section 37.