Plastics industry blames Numsa for violence

The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), which has been accused of inciting violence in a deadly eight-week plastic-sector strike, claims employers are responsible for “psychological violence” inflicted on workers.

Last week, employers blamed the union for incidents of violence, destruction to property and other damages incurred at firms in Ekurhuleni, during a strike over wages.

Lesley Mphahlele, a security guard at Herber Plastic, died after he was doused with petrol and set alight, allegedly by the strikers. Numsa has dismissed this, saying it does not organise workers at the firm.

Numsa and the Metal and Electrical Union of SA members embarked on a strike at manufacturing, moulding and packaging companies when wage talks deadlocked two months ago.

Plastics Converters Association of SA CEO Johan Pieterse told Business Day last week that a mediation process led by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) proposed a settlement agreement, which all employer bodies agreed to. He said the unions rejected the offer that lifts the lowest-paid general workers’ wages to R43 an hour and the highest-paid skilled workers to a R77 hourly rate.

Pieterse said the strike was no longer about wages. “We have settled the demands for wages and conditions of work; what we are not willing to settle for is to not pursue disciplinary action or charges for destruction of property and assault.”

The association said it was determined to file a damages claim against Numsa, adding that there was evidence that placed the union’s members at the petrol bombed factories.

Pieterse said they would also lay contempt of court charges following Numsa’s failure to adhere to a court interdict on the use of violence and intimidation.

However, on Tuesday Numsa blamed the employers for the prolonged strike.

“By prolonging the strike from October 15 to date, the bosses have guaranteed that our members starve over this period, ” said Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola. “Consistently, they have accused Numsa of violence. Numsa is not a violent trade union. Our members know how to conduct themselves during a strike.”