August 01, 2007, 21:45
Vehicle assembly plants are starting to feel the effects of the strike in the tyre industry. The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) members downed tools nearly two weeks ago, and the supply of tyres to new vehicle makers is drying up.
Manufacturers are starting to look at alternative plans for production. Numsa is demanding a 10% salary increase, while employers are offering 7.5%.
Irvin Jim, Numsa's secretary in the Eastern Cape, says: "Our demand is 10% because we're negotiating for a three-year agreement. We're busy with bilateral talks now..."
Vehicle manufacturers are now looking at alternative plans for production, which include shorter working hours. Chris Thexton, from General Motors SA, says: "We are monitoring the situation for now but the longer the strike endures, the more it will affect our production plans, which means it will affect our output and any other component. At the end of the day, it will mean we'll have to implement short time, which will mean less wages for our workers."
Tyre retailers say if the strike is not resolved in the next week or so, they may also face a crisis, and getting new tyres may become a serious problem for motorists.
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