JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – Bram Glass and Aluminium workers in South Hills reached an peaceful agreement with the company on Friday April 4 after the company proposed to cut a portion of their wages.
The strike started on Wednesday, following a newly proposed system of basic wages and commission, intended to increase productivity.
Workers were on strike because they did not want their salaries reduced, though the company felt it was the best thing to do as some of the employees were not completing jobs, causing clients not to pay.
The workers said their weekly salaries from the previous week were not paid, claiming it could have been a way to persuade them to sign the new contract.
Company owner Gift Nxumalo said the workers were not paid because numerous jobs were not completed, and clients were not paying for unfinished jobs.
The company has since paid its employees and they signed the new contracts, after being advised that the newly proposed system makes sense, thus increasing productivity.
The company installs glass for other companies, malls, schools, and private properties.
Workers will now get a basic salary plus 10 per cent commission for each of the jobs completed.
The company had no intentions of letting its staff go, but wanted them to look at the new system as the best way to increase productivity.
“We can earn more money than before, but for that we will need to be fast and dedicated to each job, as each makes money for us,” said one of the employees who asked not to be identified.
“This new method will benefit both the company and the workers, as there would be no more employees who would just relax and not complete jobs on time.
“I told them that I will pay all their commission from every job completed,” said Nxumalo.
