numsaBDLive reports that car manufacturers have rejected the National Union of Metalworkers of SA’s (Numsa’s) demand for a one-year wage agreement, forcing the union to go back to the drawing board.  

Employers, including seven global car manufacturers, told the union from the onset they would not accept a deal that would mean another round of wage talks in 2017.  This was before responding to Numsa’s demands, which included a 20% wage hike, said Numsa deputy general secretary Karl Cloete.  A three-year deal in the sector expires in September.  Unions and employers are expected to meet for talks in June.  The union’s members decided in April to push for a one-year agreement partly because of economic conditions.


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