ANA reports that ITB Plastics, a division of Novus Holdings, has urged its workers affiliated to the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) to return to the negotiation table, put an end to the strike, and cease all destructive activity.  

The company confirmed that employees were on a strike at the firm’s IsiThebe plant in Mandini, KwaZulu-Natal, following collapsed wage negotiations.  Business operations have been interrupted since the strike action began four weeks ago, resulting in the company having to turn away non-striking workers.  Workers at ITB Plastics, which has a total staff complement of 500 people, went on strike last month, demanding a living wage and improved working conditions.  The company said it had offered 5.2% increase to workers, which was above the current inflation rate, while employees belonging to Numsa were asking for total increases in excess of 20%.  The company said it was also offering a phased-in provident fund to employees who were not currently on such a fund.  The company said it remained committed to seeking an amicable resolution, with minimal further impact on employees and customers.

• Read this report in full at The Citizen

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