Business Report writes that the focus of wage negotiations in the automotive industry shifts to the retail motor sector this week when the sector faces “make-or-break” discussions with trade unions about a new agreement.  

This follows confirmation that the Automotive Manufacturers Employers’ Organisation (Ameo) and the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) successfully concluded negotiations for a new three-year wage agreement in the motor manufacturing sector last week.  Jakkie Olivier of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), which represents 19,000 businesses that collectively employ at least 300,000 people, confirmed that what should be the last mediation session between the RMI and Numsa would take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Olivier believes progress should be made now that Numsa has reached agreement with Ameo.  Numsa declared a dispute in July after the RMI refused to enter into negotiations on wages until Numsa’s demands for a mega bargaining council and for a one-year rather than a three-year agreement had been sorted out.

• Read this report by Roy Cokayne in full at Business Report
• Read too, Strike averted as car makers and Numsa agree on pay deal, at BDLive

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page