The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) is dismayed by the attitude adopted by employers in the auto sector. We met over the last two days at
Burgers Park Hotel in Pretoria to begin the process to negotiate the Bargaining Process Agreement, (BPA) which is a document which guides the negotiations process. The BPA is essential because it provides a framework for how we will engage. It stipulates the dates for talks, the facilitators and it confirms the principle of back pay in case wage talks go beyond the allocated time.

We brought a full delegation of workers and officials to negotiate with employers who represent seven OEM’s in the auto sector. But unfortunately, the talks for the BPA collapsed. The reason is that the employers have undermined the process. We have not even begun to negotiate the terms of the BPA, and already, employers are saying that the principle of back pay must be placed as a demand, instead of it being an accepted standard of the BPA.

We are dismayed that employers would make such a demand, especially so early on in the process. For the last 25 years back pay is something which is standard and is automatically offered to employees, in case, the wage talks exceed beyond the required time. It means they are undermining, but also delaying the process unnecessarily. And we have to wonder if this is a deliberate attempt to frustrate the process. If the stubborn attitude of employers continues, it is likely that by the 30th of June, when the agreement lapses, we will have no agreement in place and this is great cause for concern, as it will bring instability to the industry. From the 1st of July, there will be is nothing in place which governs wages and working conditions in the industry.

Full Statement Attached

Aluta continua!
The Struggle continues!

Issued by The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa