Read this article in:
6 September, 2001Tire and rubber workers may get support for their dispute from their colleagues in the car manufacturing industry.
SOUTH AFRICA: The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa has asked its members in the car manufacturing industry to consider participating in a sympathy strike in a show of support with striking workers in the tire and rubber industry. The industrial action in the tire and rubber sector, organised by Numsa, is well into its second week, and efforts to resolve an impasse between the union and the association of tire and rubber employers have failed.
Although the Automobile Employers' Association claims that the strike in the tire and rubber sector will not affect the car manufacturing industry in the short term, Numsa states that it already is. "If the situation is not solved in three weeks' time, car manufacturers will have to source tires overseas," said Numsa spokesman Dumisa Ntuli, who called on carmakers to put pressure on the tire and rubber manufacturers.
Numsa is demanding a 10 per cent wage hike for the tire and rubber workers, but employers have limited their offer to 7.5 per cent.
Although the Automobile Employers' Association claims that the strike in the tire and rubber sector will not affect the car manufacturing industry in the short term, Numsa states that it already is. "If the situation is not solved in three weeks' time, car manufacturers will have to source tires overseas," said Numsa spokesman Dumisa Ntuli, who called on carmakers to put pressure on the tire and rubber manufacturers.
Numsa is demanding a 10 per cent wage hike for the tire and rubber workers, but employers have limited their offer to 7.5 per cent.