Netwerk24 reports that more than 1,000 employees at General Motors SA (GMSA) are ready to strike if the vehicle manufacturer lays off workers without adequate compensation.  

According to Mphumzi Maqungo, national treasurer of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), the union has been negotiating with GMSA management since last week over the cutting of posts.  Apparently, the union proposed that the severance package on offer be improved, which the company was not prepared to consider.  Maqungo said:  “If they don’t reconsider our demand, our members will be prepared to strike.”  Numsa is demanding a once-off payment of R100,000 for each workers laid off.  The next step will be a meeting between Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim and GMSA president Ian Nicholls on Tuesday. (Loosely translated from Afrikaans)

Read this report by Odette Parfitt in full in Afrikaans at Netwerk24

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