Numsa to intensify strike in the plastic sector
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) won the Labour Court case against the Plastic Converters of South Africa (PCSA).
The PCSA approached the Labour Court on Monday in an attempt to block the nationwide strike by Numsa workers.
"The employers claimed that our strike was illegal and they have been peddling this propaganda in an attempt to victimize workers and stop them from making their demands. However, today the court found in our favour, and dismissed the application of the Employers," says NUMSA spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola.
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The union accuses the PCSA of - amongst others - reducing the wages of all Grade H employers from R40 to R20.
"They have increased hours of work from 40 to 45 per week and they don't pay overtime. Leave Entitlement of 4 weeks has been down varied - 4th week if you have 4 years' service has been taken away. Introduction of Area category - Outlying areas will be paid 10% less than urban areas," Hlubi Majola says,
She says they condemn the actions undertaken by PCSA to stop their members from striking.
"We want to advise the employers in the plastics sector that the only way to stop the strike is to give into the demands which our members have made. Engage meaningfully with us on these demands and stop wasting our time with frivolous legal battles," she adds.
Hlubi-Majola says until the employers give into the workers' demands, they will intensify the strike.