Neasa move means lock-out goes on

According to Neasa, after Numsa withdrew its urgent application in the Labour Court to stop Neasa from continuing the lock-out of trade union members, the bargaining council arranged a special general meeting in an attempt to bind Neasa and other non-parties into the settlement agreement recently entered into between SeifSA and trade unions.

Unsustainable agreement

"After the bargaining council failed to comply to Neasa's ultimatum that the meeting be cancelled in light of the non-compliance of constitutional demands, Neasa on Wednesday brought an urgent application in the Labour Court to prevent the bargaining council from continuing with the meeting," it said in a statement.

"The bargaining council on Thursday withdrew the notice of the meeting."

Neasa CEO Gerhard Papenfus said: "This is an endless battle. What is clear is that a minority group of employers, who do not have the interests of SMME's (small, medium and micro enterprises) at heart, is attempting to bind Neasa and other non-party employers into their unsustainable agreement.

"What is at stake here is the future of manufacturing in South Africa.

Metal industry

"Neasa will continue to do whatever it takes, within the confines of the law, to prevent this from happening."

Neasa confirmed that it would stand by its decision to continue with the lock-out until its demands, "namely a new entry level wage on the lowest levels and a completely revised exemption system."

Neasa, which represents 23 000 employers across all industries, of which 3 000 is in the metal industry, also do not agree on the 10% wage increase.