3 September, 2010The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) calls for a secondary strike action in support of striking tyre workers after negotiations with the tyre manufacturing sector deadlocked leaving the dispute unresolved. The sympathy strike is scheduled for September 9.
SOUTH AFRICA: The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has decided to call for a sympathy strike on September 9 in support of the tyre workers presently on strike since August 30. The companies involved in the tyre sector are Continental, Goodyear, Apollo-Dunlop and Bridgestone.
In order to compel Bridgestone to comply to workers demands and in the spirit of worker solidarity NUMSA has written to auto shop stewards to take action. The secondary strike will involve refusal to touch and handle any products associated with Bridgestone.
Negotiations in the tire manufacturing sector are a deadlock and the dispute remains unresolved. NUMSA states that, "Bridgestone has adopted apartheid-style, separatist conduct in the negotiations by unilaterally tabulating a different wage increase offer, seven per cent lower than that of the New Tyre Manufacturing Industry Employers' Association (NTMIEA). Bridgestone has also adopted a fatal attitude by refusing to negotiate, as part of the NTMIEA, other demands that the union has submitted."