News

7 September 2021

Please see below the latest update regarding wage negotiations:

23 July 2021

There are rumours doing the rounds that strike action is planned to start from next week Wednesday. Please take careful note that protected strike action is not possible in the next few, to several weeks at least. In order for protected strike action to take place, the parties to a negotiation need to deadlock. This hasn’t happened yet and as the next negotiating meeting between any of the parties to the MEIBC is next week Wednesday (between SEIFSA and the unions). Once there is a deadlock, a party may declare a dispute against the others by filing the requisite forms with the MEIBC. This may be done next week Wednesday, at the earliest. From there, the MEIBC General Secretary, together with the President of the Council are required to call a Manco within 14 days, the purpose of which is to allow the parties to decide on how they want to resolve the dispute. They can choose one of four options:

19 August 2021

Late on Monday afternoon, SAEFA received the notice below from NUMSA, advising of intended picketing to start from 23^rd August 2021. After having carefully considered the notice and the legalities related thereto, SAEFA is of the view that no procedural picketing may take place. This is because the purpose of such a picket as contemplated needs to be in support of a protected strike. Since no protected strike has yet been embarked upon (we have informed members of the procedure required in previous communication), there can, therefore, be no picket without, at the very least, explicit agreement from management that employees may gather in the workplace during lunchtimes and teatimes. Should management wish to enter into such agreements, please ensure that the employees adhere to all of the requisite Covid-19 protocols.

Any picketing that takes place in the absence of an express agreement with management is unprotected and may result in disciplinary action being taken against participating employees.

NUMSA Notice of Nationwide Demonstrations in the Engineering Sector

22 July 2021

Please see an update below regarding wage talks.

We understand that members are anxious to hear what is happening in the negotiations, but talks are at a critical stage and we appeal to you for patience whilst we finalise the agreement which we will then bring to you for approval.

Wage Negotiation Advisory No. 38

3 August 2021

Despite having engaged with SAEFA only once thus far, NUMSA have declared themselves to be in dispute with all industry employers, including SAEFA, NEASA, CEO and SEIFSA. Towards the end of last month, we advised members that this was a distinct possibility, and gave the following clarity in terms of the process:

Good afternoon members. There are rumours doing the rounds that strike action is planned to start from next week Wednesday (28^th July). Please take careful note that protected strike action is not possible in the next few, to several weeks at least. In order for protected strike action to take place, the parties to a negotiation need to deadlock. This hasn’t happened yet and as the next negotiating meeting between any of the parties to the MEIBC is next week Wednesday (between SEIFSA and the unions). Once there is a deadlock, a party may declare a dispute against the others by filing the requisite forms with the MEIBC. This may be done next week Wednesday, 28^th July at the earliest. From there, the MEIBC General Secretary, together with the President of the Council are required to call a Manco within 14 days, the purpose of which is to allow the parties to decide on how they want to resolve the dispute. They can choose one of four options:

News

South African Engineers and Founders Association

Wage Negotiation Advisory No. 40

Rumours of industrial action

NUMSA's planned pickets not protected

Wage Negotiation update No 38

Dispute declaration by NUMSA in 2021 wage talks and Webinar

Wage Negotiation Advisory No. 37

Wage Negotiation Update No 39

Update on plastics negotiations