BusinessLive reports that a potential strike in the metal and engineering industries sector seems to have been averted, with trade unions and employers said to be edging closer to a deal.  

The majority of the employers in the sector and all trade unions will meet on Thursday to finalise details of a proposed settlement agreement that could see negotiations come to an end by next week.  Johan van Niekerk of the United Association of SA (Uasa) said they were positive about the direction of the talks and added:  "We are of the opinion that if the offer that was given to us provisionally is confirmed tomorrow [Thursday], then the wage negotiations might be over."  But, Gerhard Papenfus, CEO of the National Employers Association of SA (Neasa), which has refrained from taking part in the current wage talks, said the agreement would be a "futile exercise" and indicated that the association would fight attempts for it to be extended to his members.  Solidarity’s Marius Croucamp described as "problematic" the fact that some of the employer bodies were not prepared to engage with labour.

• Read this report by Theto Mahlakoana in full at BusinessLive

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