PRESS RELEASE:

 

07 August 2014

 

Immediately after NUMSA withdrew its urgent application in the Labour Court (case number J1892/14) to stop NEASA from continuing the lock-out of trade union members in light of the fact that NEASA’s demands at the 2014 Metal Industry negotiations were not sufficiently dealt with, the Metal Industry Bargaining Council (MEIBC) arranged a Special General Meeting in an attempt to bind NEASA and other non-parties into the disastrous settlement agreement recently entered into between SEIFSA and trade unions.

 

After the MEIBC failed to comply to NEASA’s ultimatum that the meeting be cancelled in light of the non-compliance of constitutional demands, NEASA, on Wednesday, 6 August 2014, brought an urgent application in the Labour Court to prevent the MEIBC from continuing with the meeting. This morning the MEIBC withdrew the notice of the said meeting.

 

‘This is an endless battle. What is clear here is that a minority group of employers, who do not have the interests of SMME’s at heart, is attempting to bind NEASA and other non-party employers into their unsustainable agreement. What is at stake here is the future of manufacturing in South Africa. NEASA will continue to do whatever it takes, within the confines of the law, to prevent this from happening,’ says Gerhard Papenfus, NEASA Chief Executive.

 

NEASA confirms that its standing by its decision to continue with the lock-out until its demands, namely a new entry level wage on the lowest levels and a completely revised exemption system, are sufficiently dealt with. NEASA, representing 23000 employers across all industries, of which 3000 is in the Metal Industry, also do not agree on the 10% wage increase.

 

For more information:

Sya van der Walt-Potgieter

Media Liaison