ICEM supports SA tyre strike

ERJ staff report (DS)

Geneva, Switzerland - The International union of chemical workers - ICEM - has said it is supporting workers at tyre factories in South Africa. The union said, “Despite two full days of bargaining between ICEM affiliate, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), and the New Tyre Manufacturing Employers' Industry Association (NTMEIA) on 16-17 September, no accord was reached to end the three-week old strike. Some 6,000 rubber workers have been on strike at six tyre factories operated by four employers since 29 August. “

The union continued, “In last week's talks guided by an independent mediator in Port Elizabeth, management of the Japanese-based company continued to deviate widely from the wage offers put forth by other tyre companies associated with the NTMEIA. While Continental, Goodyear, and Apollo-Dunlap of India placed on the table a three-year package containing wage increases of 9 percent, 7.5 percent, and 7.5 percent, Bridgestone-Firestone's offer was 7 percent, 5 percent, and 5 percent.

ICEM said, “Rubber workers of NUMSA are willing to accept a three-year pact, but their wage expectations are 9 percent in each of the three years. In addition, they seek a modernised wage module that will lift the salaries of workers who have been stuck at minimum levels for as long as 10 to 15 years. “

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Press release from ICEM