/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) and the Transport and Omnibus Workers Union (TOWU) are prepared to defend their intended industrial action against Golden Arrow at all costs. As labour, we have obtained a certificate at CCMA this week which gives workers a right to strike in defence of their wages, benefits and conditions of employment. Before we could even serve the company with the notice to embark on industrial action, Golden Arrow management prematurely approached Labour Court to interdict the strike. The hearing will take place later today at 5pm in Cape Town.

As labour, we believe strongly that, the only weapon in the hands of a workers when experiencing any form of abuse of power, exploitation and oppression by employers is to withdraw its labour power. Golden Arrows has unilaterally changed conditions of employment without consulting and therefore, our members will not hesitate to withdraw their labour power.

NUMSA and TOWU will be meeting today the 23rd September 2020 at the NUMSA Regional Offices in Bellville at No. 61 – 65 Voortrekker Road at 11 am to work on logistical arrangements for the strike. We hope to be joined by all other unions so we can act in unison and work together to defeat the arrogance of Golden Arrow management.

We are well aware of the new amendments that workers must ballot before embarking on industrial action. Although we know that this amendment has been implemented in order to limit workers’ right to strike, our members are determined to vote in favour of a strike because of many years of ill-treatment from Golden Arrow.

Golden Arrow had been abusing its power because of resources that they have to frustrate workers. They have put about R4m aside to review every case so that workers can be frustrated. In 2018 Golden Arrow decided to unilaterally withdraw the Top-Notch System which recognizes years of service for each employee at the company in terms of remuneration. This matter is in court and Golden Arrow is happy that workers are frustrated with this. In 2019, Golden Arrow unilaterally took a decision to pay only 4% out of the agreed upon 8% industry increase and this matter is also in court. In 2020, Golden Arrow held back about 1.4% of workers’ increase out of 6%. As if this was not enough, Golden Arrow has also informed all unions through a letter dated the 3rd August 2020 that, as from the 1st August 2020 the following will happen:

All employees will be paid on new rates, which are the Industry Minimum Rates, as outlined in Annexure “A” of the Main Collective Agreement

In each job category, where the company is paying employees more than SARPBAC minimums, the wage will consist of SARPBAC Minimum plus a Guaranteed Allowance plus an Attendance Incentive Bonus of R250 per week. The attendance Incentive Allowance will be administered by the Pay Office of the same terms and conditions as we currently apply in respect of the DBDs Attendance Bonus. (An employee who has less than 20 minutes of lost time for any specific week will be paid an Attendance Bonus. The Attendance Bonus will be paid on employees on Annual Leave). The Guaranteed Allowance will be the difference between the SARPBAC minimum and the R250 per week Attendance Allowance. 

For employees who earn more than SARPBAC minimums, future salary increases will only be given on the minimum rate. Increases on the Guaranteed Allowance and Attendance Incentive will be management’s prerogative, who will decide if, when, and by how much will it increase.

For these employees, both employee and company’s pension contributions and overtime will be calculated on SARPBAC minimums only. In addition, all acting and upgrade payments will be calculated on these rates effective 1st August 2020

At this point workers have decided to pull the bull by its horns, no matter how sharp they may be. They are determined to defend the legacy of those who came before them for the future generations to come. 

We will keep the public updated at all material time, as to when the full blown strike begin so that they can prepare themselves and make alternative transport arrangements. 

Aluta continua!

The struggle continues!

Issued jointly by NUMSA and TOWU