The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (NUMSA) has threatened to down tools at ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA). The labour union is accusing the company’s CEO, Kobus Verster of sabotaging the progress made during the wage negotiations.
The trade union says Verster demanded that AMSA can only endorse the agreed wage offer on condition the company withdraws the skills retention bonus.
NUMSA says if Verster doesn’t back down from his unreasonable demand, they will have no choice but to embark on a national strike at all AMSA sites around the country.
“The proposed offer presented to members did not have this as a condition and for Kobus to suddenly make this demand at the 11th hour and do so outside the bargaining forum, is frankly unethical. He is entirely motivated by greed and he has no regard for his workers at AMSA who are exploited under his leadership every day. He is also risking the future profits of the shareholders by recklessly provoking an unnecessary strike and by undermining the work done by the bargaining teams of both parties,” says NUMSA Spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi Majola.
