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The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) condemns the employer organizations led by Fuel Retailers Association of Southern Africa (FRA), and the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI) for refusing to engage meaningfully with our demands. The FRA and the RMI are employer members of Motor Industries Bargaining Council, (MIBCO) and they represent fuel stations owners and operators, who are one of the most abusive and exploitative in the sector.
As part of wage talks within MIBCO, our members who work in the fuel stations are demanding a night shift and transport allowance as provided for in the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), but employers are refusing to even engage on this issue.
 
Our members work awkward hours and often have to travel to work either very early in the morning, or very late at night, at times when public transportation is often unavailable. Men and women who work in petrol stations are often forced to walk long distances in the dark, and as a result they are often victims of muggings and sexual assault. Bosses often do not provide alternative transportation to workers, and our members risk their lives getting to and from work. We condemn these employer bodies for turning a deaf ear to this just demand for night shift and transport allowances!
 
Workers in this sector are also the most poorly paid. They cannot afford to pay for alternative transportation on such meagre salaries. As NUMSA, we are demanding a 12% wage increase, across the board for workers, but employers are only offering paltry 5% increase. NUMSA has clearly stated that when it comes to wages, our members are insisting on a settlement which is not less favorable than the 2016-2019 agreement.
 
The agreement in the industry expires on the 31ST August 2019, and in the absence of the agreement workers will not receive their increases.
We will be meeting with employers in the MIBCO on the 29th of August 2019 in a last ditch attempt to resolve the impasse. If this fails, unfortunately, we will be headed for strike action in the motor sector. We call on employers to work with us so that we can avoid strike action, especially as this will be detrimental to our economy.
Aluta continua!
The struggle continues!

Issued by The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa