Engineering News reports that trade union Solidarity has called ArcelorMittal SA’s (AMSA’s) proposed wage offer for this year “nothing but a slap in the face of hard-working employees”.  

The union reported on Tuesday that AMSA had offered an increase in wages of 6.5% for employees in the H-grade, 7% for employees in the I grade and 7.5% for employees in the J and K grades.  The company had also proposed an increase of 6.5% in its contribution to employees’ medical aids.  “All our members work equally hard and that is why we believe a distinction should not be made between grades.  We contend that all grades should receive an increase of 7.5% and that the medical contribution also be increased by 7.5%,” Solidarity’s Marius Croucamp said on Tuesday.  On 13 July, Solidarity referred its dispute against AMSA to the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC).  Croucamp indicated that the dispute focused specifically on the differentiation in percentage increases that AMSA had offered.

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

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