Tebogo Msimanga |
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) says it has deadlocked with the management of South32. NUMSA met with the employer for wage talks last week under the auspices of the CCMA. The reason for the deadlock is primarily because the employer insists on using a hybrid model when engaging workers for wage talks.
NUMSA General Secretary Irvin Jim said what this means is the employer will table an across-the-board offer with a once-off cash component to be paid. “So in this instance, South 32 is offering 3.1% increase across the board. And then on top of that it is offering a once-off increase of 4% which is paid for only one month in cash”.
Jim said their members reject this hybrid model because this is not a meaningful increase at all and they want the employer to make a better offer across the board. NUMSA is demanding a 15% across-the-board increase.
“South32 has not been fair in its approach to wage talks. They have already offered white-collar workers, who earn much more than ordinary blue-collar workers, 6.5% across the board, and what is worse is they have implemented the increase”.
Jim added that this is unfair and it is a form of discrimination against employees.
