Numsa to intensify strike as mediation with road fund fails
THE National Union of Metalworkers of SA said yesterday it would intensify the strike at the Road Accident Fund after mediation failed.
RAF workers are demanding better wages and calling for an end to the financial woes bedevilling the organisation.
Numsa said earlier this year the fund’s bank account was attached by the sheriff of the court, because of an R8.2 billion debt. For months, it was unable to fulfil its mandate of compensating victims.
Numsa and the RAF this week sought mediation to resolve the issues that led to the strike. However, the union said the talks had collapsed.
Phakamile Hlubi, the acting national spokesperson, said: “It is clear this mediation process was nothing more than an expensive exercise by RAF to create the illusion of negotiation, when in fact it has no interest in resolving the crisis.”
Apart from demanding wage hikes, workers’ concerns include RAF’s suspension of the bargaining council, which is a forum for workers to raise critical issues affecting them.
“By suspending the bargaining council they have effectively silenced any critical voices which can force them to be accountable. This is an infringement of our constitutional right to organise.
“RAF management does not want to be accountable to workers, and they clearly do not want to be accountable to the public. Numsa is demanding that the bargaining council be immediately reinstated and the adjustment of salary scales.
“At least 60% of workers are still on entry-level salaries, which have not been adjusted in the past five years, while senior managers have had their incomes adjusted and increased.”
The fund’s chief executive, Eugene Watson, said: “Numsa’s demands are rooted in their insistence that the RAF adopt unverified, nebulous proposed salary scales, which the fund cannot accede to.
“Numsa, which represents just under 36% of staff, is one of two unions operating within the RAF workplace.”
However, Numsa said: “We will strike until the transport minister agrees to meet with us to deal with the problems at the RAF.” – ANA