NUMSA Ends Worker Strike at ArcelorMittal South Africa

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, which had embarked on a strike at ArcelorMittal South Africa operations in Vanderbijlpark on 11 May 2022 demanding a wage hike, has agreed on a 6.5% increase on basic pay and allowances wef 1 April 2022 & onetime payment of ZAR 5,000, ending a two week strike. NUMSA said “The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa is pleased to announce that it has signed an above-inflation increase for all workers at ArcelorMittal South Africa. We met with the executives of the company today to negotiate ArcelorMittal South Africa AMSA is over.” Workers had downed tools demanding a 10% wage hike across the board but later proposed a 7% increase and a ZAR 5,000 cash payment. ArcelorMittal had raised its offer to a 6% increase plus a ZAR 5,000 once-off cash payment, or a 6.5% increase without any cash payment. NUMSA had earlier said “Our members have loyally served ArcelorMittal while enduring poor wages and intolerable working conditions. Our members, employed by the contractors, work side by side with workers directly employed by ArcelorMittal who receive much higher pay and benefits. This kind of needless exploitation is unacceptable. Last year NUMSA won a landmark judgment in the Constitutional court which clearly stipulates that workers who are brought in through Labour brokers must become permanently employed after three months of working full time for the Main Employer, which in this case, is ArcelorMittal. ArcelorMittal has found creative ways to circumvent this ruling, so they can continue to abuse and exploit our members. Our key demand is that ArcelorMittal must permanently employ all workers presently employed by the contractors who render their services to ArcelorMittal. The offer of employment must be on the same conditions of service and hold the same benefits as are applicable to employees of ArcelorMittal. We are willing to engage with the management team constructively to resolve this dispute as we would prefer to resolve this amicably.

NUMSA Ends Worker Strike at ArcelorMittal South Africa

Strategic Research Institute

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