Motor employers make some moves
When motor negotiations opened, it was motor employers that brought a longer shopping list than trade unions! With 33 proposals to change the motor agreement, Numsa's 27 demands seemed short by comparison.
Employers withdraw hated demandsAt a further meeting on July 30-31, employers removed some proposals that trade unions were dead against. These were their demands to:* reintroduce the hated penalty clause * remove the afternoon shift allowance * make workers pay 50% of the cost of company uniform* pay for Sunday work as a normal day* remove minimum payment of 4 hours for short-time* increase working hours for forecourt attendants to 48 hours* freeze wages for workers at motor cycle dealers earning above minimums.
They suggested that all proposals related to re-grading certain jobs must be taken to a special sub-committee on grading.Employers still want to change the agreement so that:* if you are off sick the day before and the day after a public holiday you must bring sick certificates so that you can be paid for those days * an employer can deduct from a worker's final pay all amounts that the worker owes (not just 30%).
Employers not addressed Numsa's core issues"But they have still not addressed most of the Union's core issues," says Numsa's motor sector coordinator, Elias Kubeka.(see below)
Numsa core demands
Employer response
Wages:* 10% increase on actuals across all sector/chapters* industry minimums to be R2500 per month including forecourt attendants
Grades 1-4: – 8% on the minimum rates of pay Grades 5-8 – 7,5% Division B – 7,5%Forecourt Attendants – 7,8% (but linked to the government granting employers an increase in the petrol profit margin)Apprentices 10%(All those that fall into the categories above that are earning above the minimum rates, will receive an increase equal to the rands and cents of the increase on the minimum rates.)- Chapter III – 7% on minimums and on actual rates of pay- Sector 6 – increases only for those on the minimum rates of pay.
* increase annual leave to 4 weeks for those with more than three years service
* all workers to get annual bonus of 4 weeks to be phased in over two years
* backdate increases to September 1
Employers say that if the Minister refuses to gazette the agreement so that all motor employers are covered, then there is no agreement ie no wage increase
* 40 hour week without loss of pay phased in over five years
* remove discriminatory clauses by January 1 2008
* 4 weeks retrenchment pay without ceiling phased in over 4 years
The next mediation meeting for motor will take place on August 20-21. The current agreement expires at the end of August.
Make sure you get updates from your shop steward or your nearest Numsa office after August 21. If we can't get what you want, you must help us decide what we must do! Are you prepared to strike for what you want?
PIC for motor:"Motor employers have not addressed our core issues" – Elias Kubeka, Numsa motor sector coordinator
VW employers prepare for a strike
Kaya ka YokoThe company is trying to disorganise and divide us in the lead up to a possible strike in the auto industry.On July 9 it called the union to a meeting. It apologised for information that had already been conveyed to members on the shop floor.
It said that as from that afternoon the majority of the employees that reported for the afternoon shift would be sent home after four hours. They should not bother to come to work the next day but come the day after instead.This was not the first short time workers had experienced.
The company said that the main reason for the lay-off was because of a Numsa-organised strike at an East London supplier.But workers questioned how they would be able to work on the Wednesday if this was the case. The answer was ‘Only the company knows'.
The company tells the leadership one thing and tells employees another. This makes employees lose trust in the organisation.Now management have extended the short time to the departments that are unlikely to work short time. This proves that they are at war with the organisation.
They are also preparing for the strike by making employees financially desperate so that if we go out on strike they will be assured of having some employees in the plant to expedite the process of supplying the exports.
Source
Numsa News