Press Statement dated 24 July 2018
On 13 July, trade union Solidarity referred its dispute against ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) to the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC) after various rounds of wage negotiations had yielded no fruit and negotiations with the steel giant deadlocked as a result.
According to Marius Croucamp, Solidarity’s deputy general secretary for the metal and engineering industry, AMSA tabled an offer that is by no means acceptable to the trade union. The proposed wage offer for this year is an increase of 6,5% contribution to medical aid, and a wage increase of only 6,5% for employees on the H grade, while employees on the J and K grades will receive 7,5% and those on the I grade will receive an increase of 7%.
Croucamp says the offer is nothing but a slap in the face of hard-working employees. “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%,” Croucamp said.
Croucamp contends that the dispute against AMSA focuses specifically on the differentiation in percentage increases. He says the trade union hopes to reach an agreement by means of the dispute. “Solidarity remains committed to negotiate for a wage settlement,” Croucamp concluded.
Issued by Marius Croucamp, Deputy General Secretary: Solidarity