The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) says the 105 Putco workers who were fired for taking part in an unprotected strike will have until Friday to lodge an internal appeal.
Putco workers went on wildcat strike last week demanding a 6% pay rise and bonus payments.
On Tuesday, NUMSA, along with other unions, met Putco management at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) where a wage agreement was signed with the bus company.
NUMSA spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Maiola says the increase will not be retroactive.
“Putco will raise wages by 6% on October 1, 2022. The raise will not be retroactive. The annual bonus for 2020 will be paid by Putco to all employees who were employed by the company before April 1, 2020 – spread equally over 18 months,” says Hlubi-Mayola.
“The lump sum payment of 5000 rand per employee in the bargaining unit will be paid in two installments. Once the settlement agreement is signed, Putco will withdraw its application to the Labor Court for a review of the final appellate body’s dismissal decision. The dismissal of 105 will remain in effect, but these people will have the opportunity to file an internal appeal no later than Friday, September 16, 2022,” says Hlubi-Mayola.
105 workers against 1000 laid off. And then you claim that there is no victory? You conveniently forget that this was an unprotected strike and NUMSA stepped in to make sure Putco didn’t go ahead firing 1000 people. Some of you are just eternal critics. 😒
— Phakamile Hlubi-Mayola (@phakxx) September 14, 2022
NUMSA SIGNED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH PUTCO. Details below 👇🏾
❤🖤💛#ForLoveToWorkingClass @IrvinJimSA pic.twitter.com/v6o8G1mMVj— NUMSA (@Numsa_Media) September 13, 2022
