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BL Premium reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) says it remains open to negotiations with Gautrain operator Bombela Operating Company (BOC) over its demands for above-inflation wage increases, stressing that it prefers to resolve the wage impasse amicably rather than taking to the streets.
This after last week’s statements in which the union called on the BOC to table a meaningful wage offer to avoid an “imminent crippling strike” that could result in a “total shutdown of services”. Wage talks between the BOC and Numsa deadlocked on 9 June and attempts by the CCMA to break the impasse failed on Wednesday last week, resulting in the union being issued with a strike certificate. Numsa is demanding a 7% wage increase across the board, while the BOC will not move from its 4.2% wage offer. Numsa’s other demands include a housing allowance of R1,600 (it is now R1,300), transport allowance of R150 (R125), night shift allowance of R50 per hour (R38 per hour), and performance bonus of R15,000 (R9,600). On Monday, Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said: “We remain open as Numsa to negotiations. We’d prefer to resolve this through negotiation than through a strike. A strike would mean the no work no pay policy applies. We want to reiterate to the management of BOC that they must demonstrate compassion towards workers.” She added: “We believe we can find one another, but it does require flexibility and the ball is in their court.”
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page