Clothing wage deal expected

"As at lunchtime today [Monday], four out of the six employer associations... have provided the union with firm commitments to settle on our terms," Sactwu general secretary Andre Kriel said in a statement.

"The remaining two employer associations have today requested more time to seek a revised mandate."

Last week, the union issued an ultimatum to employers, following support by 86% of members for a strike.

"The ultimatum required clothing employers to settle the wage dispute on the union's terms by today [Monday], or face national strike action by 50,000 clothing workers," Kriel said.

Sactwu wanted a 7% increase for its members working in metro areas.

Kriel said the SA Clothing Manufacturers' Association and the Cape Clothing Association had requested more time to seek a "fresh mandate".

"We have agreed to grant them a final non-variable extension, until Friday this week. We do so, because a strike for us is a last resort."

The union has called for a special executive committee meeting of the clothing industry bargaining council for next Monday.

"We intend to only have one item on the agenda - clothing employers to endorse a national wage settlement on our terms, or we formally table 48 hours' notice of strike action, as is required by the provisions of the Labour Relations Act."