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Strikes: Goodyear workers out

Uitenhage - Workers have downed tools at the Goodyear tyre factory in Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape, but there's better news from Toyota.

Congress of SA Trade Unions' Eastern Cape spokesman Phumzile Nodongwe said on Tuesday, Oct 23, 2012: "The bosses are arrogantly taking away workers' hard-won benefits without following established rules of engagement, as set out in the Labour Relations Act (LRA).

"Clearly, they want to create a state of anarchy and render unions useless. We will never succumb to their union-bashing tactics."

PRODUCTION AFFECTED

Goodyear spokesperson Lize Hayward confirmed that some National Union of Metalworkers of SA members were on strike and that the company was trying to resolve the matter by, among other things, using a third-party facilitator.

Hayward added: "We believe we have made reasonable proposals to address Numsa’s demands. Despite this, Numsa elected to strike. Goodyear remains committed to working with the union on an appropriate solution."

Production had been affected.

The Numsa members embarked on a protected strike demanding a 'relief allowance' when placed on staggered breaks. They claimed this was standard practice within the company.

Cosatu said that although the allowance had not been part of the collective bargaining agreement, it had been "willy-nilly parachuted behind the tables" by the employer. "The employer cannot now hastily renege from this without following proper channels of engagement with the workers."

If the company failed to heed the call it would "feel the wrath of the strikers until their demand is met".

TOYOTA PRODUCTION BACK


Meanwhile, in Durban, production at Toyota's Prospecton Plant will resume todasy (Oct 23, 2012) after a legal strike at one of its suppliers was resolved.

"[Toyota] is confident that it will be able to return to full production tomorrow," a spokesman said..

About 480 employees affiliated to the National Union of Metalworkers of SA at Toyota Boshoku in Durban stopped work on October 17, 2012 for a R1500 bonus. The plant makes seats and door trims for Toyota vehicles.

The dispute started in 2009 when the company decided to give only one category of workers, the artisans, a R1500 'retention bonus' - essentially, a bribe to deter them from leaving within a certain period and, according to some sources, frequently ignored by employees should another job come along.

Numsa wanted the bonus for all employees.
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