Numsa calls off bus sector strike
JOBURG – The National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa has accepted a wage offer, but calls it a sell-out deal.
The National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (Numsa) has called off the strike in the bus sector, despite being dissatisfied with the offer made by employers.
Numsa was the only union which had not accepted the nine per cent wage increase offer made by employers. On 14 April, three unions signed the offer made by employers, with Numsa saying it still needed to consult with its members before accepting any offer.
On 15 April, Numsa announced that following extensive consultation from regions in all nine provinces, they had decided to end the strike in the bus passenger sector. “Despite being the second biggest trade union in the sector we had to accept this sell-out deal for the sake of industrial peace and stability in the sector, and we therefore urge all our members to return to work,” said the general secretary of Numsa, Irvin Jim.
He, however, cautioned employers that it would take time for all their members to return to work. “We expect that by Tuesday all our members should be back at work.”
Jim also warned employers that they would not tolerate any victimisation of their members for their participation in the strike.
Jim also said Numsa would continue to pressurise the South African Department of Labour to do proper oversight in the bus passenger sector. “The fact that our members, even under the new wage agreement will continue to be exposed to dangerously long hours without compensation is shameful,” said Jim.
