NUMSA members down tools at Dunlop Howick

Tuesday 28 August 2012

A throng of workers working at a monopoly and imperialist-owned Dunlop in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal have started with their protected strike since Wednesday 22 August 2012. The strike action has been triggered by stubbornness and big-headed arrogance by Dunlop ruling oligarchy to concede to workers demands for improved conditions of employment and sustainable livelihoods.

The strike action is part of the tactical manoeuvre by the militant and strong Dunlop workforce to exert pressure to the Dunlop ruling oligarchy to accede to their demands. It is further consistent with the electoral commitment of the ANC-led alliance and President Jacob Zuma-led administration of creating decent  work and sustainable livelihoods.

We demand the following:

1. We demand a two-year agreement;
2. We demand 10% increase in the 1st year, and 9% increase in the 2nd year;
3. We demand two weeks pay bonus; AND
4. We demand two weeks severance pay for each completed year.

We strongly believe that these demands by workers are reasonable and legitimate. We refuse to allow members to be subjected to starvation and poverty wages, amidst the triple crisis of poverty, unemployment and inequalities, mainly affecting working class and poor households.

Employment of a size-able number of workers through labour broker continues to plunge Dunlop workers to the above unbecoming conditions, therefore we commit to fight for their permanent employment.

Furthermore, we call on the Dunlop ruling oligarchy to return to the bargaining table in order to resolve the dispute, as opposed to cheap and dangerous stance taken by Dunlop to employ the services of a private security company to intimidate and threaten our un-armed and peace-loving striking NUMSA members.

Statement issued by Mbuso Ngubane, NUMSA KZN Regional Secretary, August 28 2012

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