Denel workers at Denel Aviation, Vektor, Irenco finally received the R4m payout divided equally amongst them all. * If you are an engineering worker and your employer has not granted you the wage increase from July 1 2005, s/he has 16 weeks until January 10 2006 to pay this backpay. Remember that any overtime pay since July 1, must also be paid at the new rates. If you are not sure, contact your nearest Numsa office.
If you are an engineering worker and your employer has not granted you the wage increase from July 1 2005, s/he has 16 weeks until January 10 2006 to pay this backpay. Remember that any overtime pay since July 1, must also be paid at the new rates. If you are not sure, contact your nearest Numsa office.
Wage rate round upsThese are the new increases from July 1 2005 to June 30 2006
Name of company
Percentage increase
Eskom
6,51% to 6.54%
Huletts
5,5% (highest paid) to 6,8% (lowest paid)
Highveld Steel
6% across the board
Hillside (The company says it will consider going back to the Main Agreement once Numsa has resolved the issue at national level)
7% plus variable performance bonus
Denel
5% to 6%
New auto ratesAll auto workers received an across the board increase of 5%. New hourly rates from July 1 2005 to June 30 2006 are as follows:
Skill level
Entry rate 2005/2006
Qualifying rate 2005/6
1
R23,71
R26,35
2
R26,35
R29,27
3
R29,27
R32,53
4
R32,53
R36,14
5
R36,14
R40,16
6
Not applicable
R48,18
Lighting on EskomSome important changes to conditions of service:* pay day for December will be the last Friday before Christmas * employees granted adoption leave must remain in Eskom’s service for a period equivalent to the adoption leave taken* Eskom and its employees to contribute R9,76 each to the Death Benefit Fund. The benefit will increase from R10 000 to R12 000.
Meal allowance
* With a voucher R78* Without a voucher R29
Camp allowance
R62
Live line allowance
* with helicopter – R70* without helicopter – R29* minimum allowance – R45
Fixed daily subsistence
R325
Outstanding Eskom issuesParties have agreed to deal with disciplinary and grievance procedures, pension fund, health and safety and recognition agreements and the implementation of the grading and remuneration programme at a Special Central Bargaining Forum.Meanwhile negotiations around a new minimum service agreement are continuing in a special task team. This agreement limits the right to strike especially for shift and standby workers.The task team will also review the current housing policy because it is not benefiting workers.
Disputes on the tableAs Numsa News went to print,
* Numsa was still in dispute with tyre employers over the wage increase for 2005/6. Trade unions have refused employers’ offer of 5%.* Numsa had just declared a dispute with engineering employers around outstanding demands from the 2005/6 wage negotiations:- severance pay of four weeks- gratuity pay- shift allowance of 10%- labour brokers.On the issue of the interpretation and application of leave enhancement pay, trade unions and employers agreed to go to arbitration. Any decision made will be binding on both parties.
New issues won in bargaining rounds
Hillside – R10 000 once off lump-sum payment for those going on retirement (excludes those applying for voluntary early retirement)