Seifsa disappointed by wage rejection

"Seifsa is deeply disappointed by Numsa's rejection of its very good final offer," Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) chief executive Kaizer Nyatsumba said in a statement.

He said it was regrettable the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) had not accepted its offer to end the metals and engineering industries strike.

The offer was made following a meeting with Numsa's leadership, which indicated it believed the offer could end the strike, he said.

"We have now done everything that we could possibly have done to end the strike and we deeply regret the fact that all our efforts have been in vain," Nyatsumba said.

Numsa members in the metals and engineering sector downed tools on July 1 for a salary hike of 12 percent with effect from July 1, and a R1000 housing allowance in a one-year bargaining agreement. It originally wanted 15 percent.

The union further wanted a ban on the use of labour brokers.

Numsa on Sunday said it lowered its demand to a 10 percent wage increase each year for the next three years.

"As a union we are ready to end the current strike with a one-year agreement and a 10 percent increase," general secretary Irvin Jim told reporters in Johannesburg.

"It is not us who is delaying this, it is the employer," he said.

Jim said the strike would continue and could be intensified should employers fail to meet the union's demands.

Nyatsumba said it was unfortunate that the strike, which had caused damage to the economy, would continue indefinitely.

A meeting between the union and the employers was planned for Monday.

Nyatsumba said it was unfortunate that Seifsa first heard about Numsa's rejection of its final offer through the media.

The union said the offer was taken to members on Thursday and rejected.

"Our members are very clear that if employers want a three-year agreement, they must meet workers' demand of double-digit increases which should be on an ascending scale. Failing which, our members shall settle for nothing less than 10 percent for the first year, 10 percent for the second year and 10 percent for the third year," he said.

Seifsa had tabled a three-year wage offer of between eight and 10 percent for different levels of workers in the first year.

The first category of worker was offered seven percent in 2015 and 2016, while the others were offered nine percent in the second year, and eight percent in the final year.

Seifsa represents 27 independent employer associations in the metal and engineering industries with a combined membership of over 2000 companies, employing over 200,000 employees.

(File photo: Gallo Images)