Automotive workers demand more money

BURGERSFORT – This week striking National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) affiliated with automotive workers, took to the streets demanding higher wages.

Thousands of petrol attendants, component retailers’ staff, panel beaters, car and spare part dealers, fitment workshops, dealerships and car repair workers began a nationwide strike, reported South African Press Association (Sapa).

In town nearly 50 of the unions’ members downed tools and marched to almost every petrol station where they sang and danced. Placards reading “R6 000 minimum wages in the industry” and “Free transport for all night shift workers” were displayed by the strikers.

They wore red T-shirts with their demands printed on the back. These included a skills-based grading system and a 40-hour working week.

Non-Numsa affiliated members were encouraged to join the strike only if they worked in the automotive industry. The strikers hoped to urge employers in the sector to return to the negotiating table.

“The union has demanded, among other things, a R30-an-hour across the board increase by 2016 on actual rates of pay in all sectors and divisions for workers earning more than R6 000 a month,” reported Sapa.

The picketing agreement for the strike that was concluded between the Retail Motor Industry Organization (RMI), Fuel Retailers Association of Southern Africa (FRA) and Numsa, included a clause which stipulated where picketing might take place – “In any place to which the public has access but outside the premises of an employer or with the permission of the employer, inside the employer’s premises,” read the agreement.

Several garage managers and owners were upset with the fact that strikers came onto their property and intervened in the running of their businesses.

“Every time the strikers came onto Magaba filling station’s property the petrol attendants, who weren’t wearing uniforms, hid. They were afraid the strikers would intimidate them to join the strike.

Most of them went ahead with their duties because they didn’t want to lose any pay. They have families to look after,” said Mr Carl Lourens, owner of the garage.

Reports of striking Numsa members intimidating non-striking petrol attendants and car repair workers are being discussed with the union, RMI said on Tuesday, as reported by Sapa.

“We are receiving reports of incidents (of intimidation), where non-striking workers are being targeted, and some are being hurt,” said RMI chief executive Jakkie Olivier.

A striker who prefers to remain anonymous, told Steelburger/Lydenburg News, “We only want what we deserve. How are we supposed to look after our families with the small amount of money we are paid

. I have five children and my wife is jobless. I cannot understand why these owners think it is okay to pay us, who are doing all the physical work, such poor salaries while they are living luxurious lives.”

Another petrol attendant who was not taking part in the strike added, “I don’t support this action. South Africa is one of the few countries left that still provides the service of pouring petrol and washing windows.

I am afraid that filling stations will remove all petrol attendants and then I and other people will be jobless. I am not qualified to do anything else. I do not even have matric.”