Solidarity finalises wage agreement at MEIBC: Solidarity's code of practice on regulation of labour brokers adopted
Trade union Solidarity accepted a three-year wage agreement for a wage increase of between 8% and 10% in the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC) today. The increase will be implemented retroactively from 1 July 2011. The trade union's proposed code of practice on the regulation of labour brokers will also be enforced in the industry, ensuring that permanent and temporary employees in the industry are protected.
A strike by Solidarity members in the metal and engineering industry was narrowly averted last week when employers in the MEIBC made a renewed wage offer to the trade union.
According to Dirk Hermann, Deputy General Secretary of Solidarity, employees in the MEIBC will receive a wage increase of between 8% and 10% this year, depending on an employee's job level. "The employees on the lowest job levels will receive an increase closer to 10%, while the employees on higher job levels will receive an increase closer to 8%," he explained. Further, employees will receive a wage increase of between 7% and 8% in 2012 and 2013, unless the CPI exceeds 8%. "In this case, employees will receive a wage increase of CPI + 2% in 2012 and 2013," he said.
According to Hermann, this year's agreement makes provision for training and retention of scarce skills in the industry, but more still needs to be done to retain scarce skills. "There is a critical shortage of skilled artisans and engineers in South Africa. Research has also shown that South Africa will need some 50 000 new artisans by 2015 to meet the demand. The skills shortage is a global occurrence and many South African artisans are lured away by opportunities in the international market."
Solidarity represents approximately 27 000 employees in the metal and engineering industry. The majority of them are artisans and employees with other scarce skills.
Statement issued by Dirk Hermann, Solidarity deputy general secretary, July 18 2011
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