Engineering News reports that trade union Solidarity, along with other unions, on Thursday declared a dispute with employers in the metals and engineering industries over stalled wage negotiations.  

The talks are currently under way at the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC).  Solidarity deputy general secretary Marius Croucamp said the employers put demands on the table that were not acceptable, but added:  “We remain committed to negotiating with a view to achieve a wage settlement.”  The current wage agreement lapses at the end of June.  Solidarity is demanding a 10% wage increase, while the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) is demanding 15% (on actual as opposed to minimum rates).  On 9 June, employers in the MEIBC offered 5.3% across the board for the first year of a three-year agreement based on minimum rates.

• Read this report in full at Engineering News
• Read Solidarity’s press statement at Solidarity online

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page