South African metalworkers’ strike hits output at BMW plant
The emblem of German automobile producer BMW is seen on the corporate headquarters in Munich, Germany, December 5, 2019. REUTERS/Andreas Gebert
CAPE TOWN, Oct 11 (Reuters) – Output at luxurious carmaker BMW’s predominant automobile meeting plant in South Africa has been hit by a wage strike within the engineering sector by the nation’s largest metalworkers union, an organization spokesperson mentioned on Monday.
“Whereas our associates have been reporting for work, we now have misplaced manufacturing because the strike commenced … as a variety of suppliers to the plant have been affected,” Hailey Philander informed Reuters.
She mentioned manufacturing of round 700 automobiles was misplaced, however gave no additional particulars.
The Nationwide Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) launched the strike final Tuesday after pay talks with employer our bodies reached a impasse, elevating fears the motion would spill over and block provides of components to make new automobiles.
BMW’s plant is at Rosslyn, round 60 kilometres from the business metropolis of Johannesburg.
On Friday, NUMSA mentioned its members have been contemplating a brand new proposal to finish the strike. On Monday, the union was nonetheless collating suggestions earlier than making a call.
NUMSA, with round 155,000 members organised within the sector, needs an 8% across-the-board wage hike within the first 12 months, and inflation plus 2% for the second and third years.
Trade physique Metal and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) had initially supplied 4.4% for 2021, inflation plus 0.5% in 2022 and inflation plus 1% within the third 12 months.
“It’s regarding for the entire autos manufacturing sector that the strike within the metals and engineering house has continued until now, however we all know that negotiations to resolve are superior and we hope a breakthrough is imminent,” mentioned Renai Moothilal, govt director on the Nationwide Affiliation of Automotive Part and Allied Producers (NAACAM).
Spokespeople at Ford , Volkswagen and Toyota mentioned that they had not been affected by the strike to this point.
Reporting by Wendell Roelf
Enhancing by Promit Mukherjee and Mark Potter
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