Numsa to strike at ArcelorMittal SA demanding 10%

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) will embark on a strike today demanding a 10% wage increase.

The union has served the management of ArcelorMittal South Africa (Amsa) with a 48-hour notice. Amsa is Africa’s largest steel producer.

It is part of the ArcelorMittal Group which employs over 191 000 people worldwide.

Numsa has made a wide range of demands during negotiations with Amsa including:

A 10% wage increase across the board;

Housing allowance;

An 80% medical aid contribution by the employer; and

To scrap the labour brokers and insourcing of temporary employees.

Numsa says its negotiations with Amsa has reached a deadlock.

“We have been engaging in wage talks under the auspices of the Metals and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC) since March and we have deadlocked with the employer.”

“We have been unable to unlock the deadlock, even though we engaged in conciliation on 5 May under the auspices of the

MEIBC’s Centre for Dispute Resolution (CDR),” Numsa Sedibeng region’s regional secretary, Kabelo Ramokhathali, said in a statement.

According to Ramokhathali, the board tabled a final offer of 5% and also offered workers 2% of their salaries in cash monthly.

The union rejected the proposal. “What is a 5% increase for the lowest-paid worker?” Ramokhathali asked.