NUMSA members back at work
After many incidents of violence by protestors, the NUMSA strike is finally over.
THE NUMSA strike officially came to an end on Monday. South Africa’s largest union agreed to end a nearly month-long strike in the metals sector after accepting a 10 per cent wage increase offer from employers.
More than 220,000 South African engineering and metal workers were part of the strike.
The salary increases ranged from 8 per cent to 10 per cent in year one, 7,5 per cent in year two and 7 to 10 per cent in year three.
The strike ends after four weeks of strike-related violent protest in the Pinetown area.
On one incident a car was overturned and the windows were smashed.
In another incident a man was brutally attacked after he was mistaken as an employee from the metal industry.
There were several more incidents in the area where stones were thrown at cars and windscreens were smashed.
In another incident police attempted to disperse more than 200 NUMSA strikers along Escom Road using a water tank, protestors were left covered in blue dye and others were injured after they slipped and fell.
One member said she is relieved that SEIFSA and NUMSA have reached an agreement.
“This was the longest strike since I started working, last year’s strike lasted for two weeks.
“I have responsibilities and debt, now I can sleep peacefully at night knowing I will get an income at the end of the month.”
