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Pump-jockeys to join Numsa strike

More workers in the motor industry, including petrol attendants affiliated to the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa), will go on strike in September 2013.

Numsa spokesperson Castro Ngobese said: "Seventy-two-thousand workers at petrol stations, components, automotive retail, panel-beaters, car and spare parts, fitment workshops, truck body and trailer builders, and dealers will be downing tools on September 2."

DEADLOCK DECLARED


About 31 000 Numsa-aligned workers downed tools because pay talks deadlocked in July. They want a 14% pay increase, a R750 housing subsidy and a R125-a-week transport allowance.

The employers - VW, Toyota, BMW, Nissan, UD Trucks, and Man Trucks and Bus - have tabled 6%.

Curent pay is about R8500 a month for basic workers but R18 000 for technicians, according to the union.

Ngobese said: "The first phases of the wage negotiations began on May 28. It was during the last phase of negotiations that a deadlock was declared by Numsa."

"Our demands should be located and understood within the context of escalating cost of living and transport, amid the triple crisis."

Ngobese said a number of marches and demonstrations were planned for September in Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal.

Do you think the Numsa's demands are acceptable or outrageous in the current economic climate? Use the Readers' Comments section below or email us and we’ll publish your thoughts on Wheels24.
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