Seifsa has offered the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) and other trade unions a three year deal with increases amounting to 10%, 9.5% and 9% on the lowest grades.
Seifsa repeatedly went back to the unions with improved offers, in the process giving away each and every demand they put on the negotiating table, thus far without any success.
Above inflation rate
Neasa, representing 3 000 mainly small and medium businesses in the metal industry, is still offering 8%, subject to an agreement on a lower entry level wage in respect of the lowest grade, as well as an arrangement which will make the industry more flexible, but thus far Numsa has refused to engage at all on these issues.
Addressing Seifsa directly, Neasa's chief executive, Gerhard Papenfus, said: "South Africa is a spectator in a drama, observing how you negotiate this industry into extinction. You have given increases above the inflation rate for three years, but not getting anything in return.
"You must be extremely disappointed that your negotiating partner, Numsa, is doing this to you."
'For two decades your weak approach has done irreparable damage to this industry. You were doing this whilst you represented less than 20% of the employers in the metal industry.
Cannot find work
"You have betrayed the interests of small business,' Papenfus said.
Arbitration, following a dispute declared by Seifsa against Neasa, continues on 4 August 2014. The outcome that Seifsa wants is a dispensation that weakens the voice of SMME's serving on the Metal Industry Bargaining Council.
'In pleasing Numsa and big business you have turned against SMME's in South Africa. You have in fact also turned against the interests of the economy and the poor that cannot find work in this industry,' Papenfus said.