Clothing wage deal expected

27 Aug 2013

A wage settlement for SA Clothing and Textile Workers' Union (Sactwu) members with clothing sector employers could be expected soon, the union said on Monday, 26 August 2013.

"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."

Source: I-Net Bridge

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