The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has firmly distanced itself from the violent actions by groups of strikers said to be part of the plastic sector mega strike of which the union is the initiator.
Numsa national spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said they are not the only union involved in the strike action, stating that Metal and Electrical Workers Union of South Africa (MEWUSA) and non-union members are also part of the strike.
“Therefore to simply presume that Numsa is responsible for violence, is wrong,” said Hlubi-Majola.
The union said it would not confirm rumours that its members were involved in criminal activity.
“We have as always advised our members to conduct themselves within the confines of the law during protests or pickets, which is our responsibility as a law-abiding trade union.
“We operate in a legal framework where people don’t simply presume guilt before evidence has been given to back-up any allegation of wrongdoing.
“We wish to state for the record that if any criminal activity took place then we expect the SAPS and the judiciary system to do their work; investigate and prosecute the guilty party.”
Jet Park
In Jet Park, one employee died after he was set alight. Others were fighting for their lives in different hospitals after they were allegedly attacked by a group of people believed to be part of the ongoing plastic industry strike.
Business owners in different parts of Ekurhuleni also saw their premises vandalised and multiple motor vehicles, including trucks, torched by the rampaging mob.
Strike continues
The union confirmed that the strike continues because they have not yet been able to find each other with employers.
“We recently met with the employers and talks broke down again because they are trying to impose changes which will worsen the conditions for ordinary workers.
“The employers are trying to force us to accept a condition that workers in outlying areas will be paid less than those who work in Gauteng. This is something which we successfully fought against in the past.
“We reject these changes because they will send us back.
“This is why the strike has continued for so long. The employers are inflexible. They want to force us to accept backward proposals. They want us to allow them to abuse workers, and we reject this,” said Hlubi-Majola.
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