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Cape Town - Small businesses suffering damage at the hands of what they believe to be strikers belonging to the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) are considering class action against the union and its leaders. However, Numsa is denying any foul play by its members.
Numsa has made a public call to all its striking members to be vigilant and guard against agents provocateurs or "rotten" non-Numsa elements who want to hijack the strike.
"We have put in place extra measures to ensure that all our actions and pickets are peaceful," Numsa's national spokesperson Castro Ngobese told Fin24 on Thursday.
"In the same breath, we remain humbled by high levels of discipline and maturity displayed by our members."
A small business owner in Booysens Reserve, south of Johannesburg, who wants to remain anonymous, told Fin24 his staff can't report for duty because of Numsa's wage strike.
"None of our staff belong to Numsa and wish to continue working; however, violence and intimidation prevent this.
"This cannot be allowed to continue."
He said companies in the area are going to institute a class action suit against the union and its leaders.
The owner of a metal factory in Sebenza said both workers and employers are suffering. He wanted to know if employees can sue Numsa for loss of wages, and if his company can do the same over loss of profits.
Fin24 has received about six claims from business owners that acts of violence and intimidation were played out in the presence of the South African Police Service (Saps).
One owner said protesters, accompanied by the police, damaged fences and broke windows at his business located in Germiston. "Saps did nothing."
Another owner said strikers are forcing their way into premises to search for workers "with Saps in tow in Edenvale".
He wanted to know why the police are placating the strikers instead of stopping them.
A Fin24 user from the East Rand confirmed that he has also seen the police simply doing nothing.
"We have a family engineering business and we have been forced to close shop. We fear for our lives," he said.
On Wednesday, business chamber the AHi encouraged Saps to protect companies targeted by striking workers.
It also called on Numsa leadership to ask its members to refrain from violent acts.
Meanwhile, Numsa indicated in a statement on Thursday that it will up the ante on its national stoppage that is entering its third week.
Here are some images of vandalism supplied to Fin24:
- Fin24
Has your business been affected by the metal strike? Let us know.
Numsa has made a public call to all its striking members to be vigilant and guard against agents provocateurs or "rotten" non-Numsa elements who want to hijack the strike.
"We have put in place extra measures to ensure that all our actions and pickets are peaceful," Numsa's national spokesperson Castro Ngobese told Fin24 on Thursday.
"In the same breath, we remain humbled by high levels of discipline and maturity displayed by our members."
A small business owner in Booysens Reserve, south of Johannesburg, who wants to remain anonymous, told Fin24 his staff can't report for duty because of Numsa's wage strike.
"None of our staff belong to Numsa and wish to continue working; however, violence and intimidation prevent this.
"This cannot be allowed to continue."
He said companies in the area are going to institute a class action suit against the union and its leaders.
The owner of a metal factory in Sebenza said both workers and employers are suffering. He wanted to know if employees can sue Numsa for loss of wages, and if his company can do the same over loss of profits.
Fin24 has received about six claims from business owners that acts of violence and intimidation were played out in the presence of the South African Police Service (Saps).
One owner said protesters, accompanied by the police, damaged fences and broke windows at his business located in Germiston. "Saps did nothing."
Another owner said strikers are forcing their way into premises to search for workers "with Saps in tow in Edenvale".
He wanted to know why the police are placating the strikers instead of stopping them.
A Fin24 user from the East Rand confirmed that he has also seen the police simply doing nothing.
"We have a family engineering business and we have been forced to close shop. We fear for our lives," he said.
On Wednesday, business chamber the AHi encouraged Saps to protect companies targeted by striking workers.
It also called on Numsa leadership to ask its members to refrain from violent acts.
Meanwhile, Numsa indicated in a statement on Thursday that it will up the ante on its national stoppage that is entering its third week.
Here are some images of vandalism supplied to Fin24:
- Fin24
Has your business been affected by the metal strike? Let us know.
