South Africa's largest metalworkers trade union ends strike, accepts offer

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa has accepted a wage offer of a 5%-6% hike, ending the strike in the metals and engineering sector, according to a local news agency report Oct. 21 monitored by S&P Global Platts.

NUMSA, the country's largest metalworkers union, began the strike action Oct. 5 in pursuit of a pay rise, demanding an 8% increase in 2021 and inflation plus 2% in the following two years.

The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa, which confirmed receipt of the strike action notice at the time, had proposed on behalf of employers a three-year wage deal of a 4.4% increase in 2021 then inflation plus 0.5% in 2022 and inflation plus 1% in 2023.

In an emailed statement Oct. 21, SEIFSA said the agreement will cover the period between July 1 and June 30, 2024, and is in full and final settlement of wages and conditions of employment for the period of the agreement.

"Wages during the three-year period will be adjusted on average by 5.49% with a general laborer receiving 6% and artisans 5% calculated on rand and cents on the scheduled rates," SEIFSA said.

SEIFSA CEO Lucio Trentini said the federation was "immensely pleased" that the strike had ended.

"It is now incumbent on all stakeholders in the metals and engineering sector to work collectively to rebuild and grow the sector," Trentini said.

"The sector has a very important role to play in the delivery of the government's ambitious economic recovery programme over the next few years, and that can happen only when a strong partnership exists between business and labour," the CEO added.