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UASA’s continued negotiations with the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) yielded positive results. A wage agreement has been concluded which will see our members employed by SEIFSA-affiliated employers receive a wage increase of between 5%-6% (depending on job grade) calculated on the wage table rates for each of the next 3 years. 

The 2021 increase will be backdated to 1 of July 2021. 

After initially having been mandated to declare a dispute against employers within the scope of the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC), a strike certificate was obtained and a 3-day secret ballot was held in order to confirm whether UASA members wanted to exercise their right to strike. The results of the ballot did not warrant that notice of strike action should be served. 

UASA believes that collective bargaining goes a long way in securing industry peace and economic growth. The multi-year agreements that have been secured with SEIFSA and employers within the plastic negotiations forum within the MEIBC will assist with industry recovery and will benefit employees with increased earning and opportunities. 

The metals and engineering sector employs about 430 000 workers and is one of the leading contributors to economic growth. 

Issued by UASA spokesperson Abigail Moyo