Striking construction workers demand 40 per cent

The civil engineering contracting industry is experiencing sporadic strike action by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and Building Construction and Allied Workers Union (BCAWU) members who demand a wage increase of 40 per cent.

After the NEWS contacted several sites where construction is supposed to be in progress, it was confirmed that the workers indeed were striking.

These construction sites include Cradlestone Mall, which is due to be completed by 25 October, Silverstar Casino’s upgrade and development, as well as Key West Shopping Centre’s revamp.

According to the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors (SAFCEC) the strike comes after wage talks between SAFCEC and the Unions reached deadlock and a certificate of non-resolution was issued by the CCMA following an unsuccessful conciliation process between the parties.

Jan du Bruyn, centre manager at Key West who confirmed that WHO, the construction company’s, employees have gone on strike.

“We have made sure that the strike does not impact on our shoppers’ experience and have beefed up security to prevent any employees from intimidating our customers and other employees.”

He says that they have a rule that striking employees are not allowed to picket on Key West property but should continue their protesting on municipal property instead.

The NEWS found that no construction workers were on site at Key West Shopping Centre and at Silverstar Casino.

However, workers were found to be striking at the front gate of Cradlestone Mall’s site and at first demanded the journalist to tell them where he is going.

“All employees from this construction companies are on a national strike,” an employee told the reporter.

“We will continue to down tools until our demands are given to us – amandla!”

He says that they have been on strike since yesterday 26 August.

SAFCEC says that employers are managing the striking employees by applying agreed picket rules in their respective demarcated picket areas.

A strike call centre has been opened for members in order to assist them during the strike and for members to report any strike and or non-strike action experienced on site.

NUM and BCAWU are demanding a 40 per cent wage increase on the total cost of employment for entry rate Task Grade 1, while employers are offering 7,5 per cent.

In terms of their respective positions, the parties are far apart and SAFCEC believe that the union demands are unreasonable and unaffordable.

SAFCEC represents the employers in the civil engineering contracting industry in the current wage negotiations, which commenced in July 2013. The bargaining process took place under the auspices of the Bargaining Council for the Civil Engineering Industry (BCCEI).

“It is regrettable that we’ve reached this position given the current state of labour uncertainty and the impact it will have on the industry and the economy,” says Norman Milne, President of SAFCEC.

SAFCEC remains committed to and is optimistic that an agreement can be reached through continued dialogue.

The NEWS will keep you updated as information regarding the strike unfolds.