Bridgestone declares war against South African metalworkers

SOUTH AFRICA: Bridgestone South Africa locked out workers at two production sites on March 22 date in Brits and Port Elizabeth. In a statement to the press, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) have taken this move as a declaration of war by Bridgestone in retaliation to wage increases achieved by workers in September 2010.

Bridgestone’s lock-out of workers originates from the unresolved dispute between Bridgestone and NUMSA, relating to the "red-circle rate" increases set out in the new Tyre Manufacturing Industry Bargaining Council collective agreement of September 28, 2010. The workers at Bridgestone who are "red-circled" have not seen a wage increase since 2009, despite the company posting huge profits on the back of the workers’ labour.

Numsa is demanding Bridgestone pay:

• nine per cent for Year 1 based on the minimums of their respective grade with back pay given from 1 July 2010 as per the industry.
• 7.5 per cent or CPI (whichever is the greater) based on the minimums of their respective grades for Year 2 and Year 3.
• A cash lump sum equal to the difference between an across the board (ATB) increase on the actual wage rate and the amount received the period 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011.

Numsa indicated it will take further action in support of its demands.