DATE : 02 June 2004
Johannesburg NUMSA PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MOTOR RETAIL AND NUMSA WILL LOCK HORNS IN WAGE NEGOTIATIONS.
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) the Fuel Retailers Association (FRA) and the Retail Motor Industry (RMI) will resume their first round of wage negotiations tomorrow 03/06/2004. Both parties will lock horns in wage talks to determine wages and working conditions for 180 000 workers in the petrol stations, component manufacturing, car dealers and panel beating shops. The retail motor employers have submitted demands to the union that further downgrade and compromise the existing rights of workers. The union has submitted the following demands:
Numsa’s Demands:
A wage increase of 10% for grade 7 and 8 and 12% for grades 1 and 6.
R10 per hour minimum wage for all workers.
Night shift allowance of 20% afternoon shift – 10%.
40 hour per week.
Three year agreement
Workers knocking off after 20H00 should get free transport.
Area wage differentials must be removed immediately.
Four weeks bonus at the end of 12 months.
The coming talks are crucial and therefore anticipated to significantly cushion the purchasing power of workers in the mist of low inflation rate. It is sad that inflation is significantly eating on wage pockets of workers. We hope the motor retail employers will be responsive, sensitive and follow the right path of meeting the union demands. We want the scheduled talks to take concrete shape and end the inherited practices of paying pittances. It is very heartbreaking to realise that workers in the motor retail sector are paid lower than old age pensioners. Therefore, there should be mechanism for action to promote change in the industry.
Motor retail workers are disregarded and undermined by their respective employers. It is time that we change the situation to the better. This requires the union not to make excuses but fight to turn things around. The minimum wage policies in the industry are perverse and counter productive. We want a fresh start to the way wages are granted because the majority of workers in 50 years have not benefited. In reality the employers must find ways to meet the social, economic and material needs and improve the quality of lives amongst the motor retail workers. Wages in the sector have hindered practical innovation. Given the fact that the basic hourly rate for petrol attendant is R5.07 in urban areas and R3, 10 on the rural areas, we remain unapologetic but determined to increase the earning power of workers.
For more information or interviews contact Dumisa Ntuli at (011) 689-1700 or 0829737282.