Footwear wage strike

THE national wage strike in the footwear sector has entered its 13th day, with no end in sight. The strike is being jointly led by the South African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (Sactwu) and the National Union of Leather and Allied Workers (Nulaw).

The strike began on July 9, after the two unions, on behalf of their members, rejected the employers’ final increase offer of 6.25%.

This followed a strike ballot in which between 82% (Nulaw) and 86% (Sactwu) of members voted in favour of strike action.

The employers, who are represented by the SA Footwear and Leather Industries Association, have now increased their settlement offer from 6.25% to 7%, plus that current family responsibility leave be applicable to spouses, but only in the event of hospitalisation.

This offer was made in writing to the unions yesterday afternoon.

The unions have met and have jointly rejected the employers’ latest revised offer.

In the interest of facilitating a settlement, we have, however, amended our settlement offer, and are now in the process of seeking final mandates from our members for our revised position.

In the meantime, the strike remains strong and united.

It will continue for as long as we are not offered a decent wage increase which will advance the living wage aspirations of our members. Ashley Benjamin Nulaw general secretary André Kriel Sactwu general secretary