Employees down tools at KZN's Hulamin
Workers at a KwaZulu-Natal-based aluminium products company, Hulamin, have gone on an indefinite strike.
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, representing just over 1 000 workers, says they are demanding an increase in their employer's medical aid contribution.
Workers have also asked Hulamin to equalise the employer contribution to their pension fund.
The company employs around 1 800 people.
Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola says management has not yet tabled an offer.
"They say they want to combine these issues with wage negotiations. However, we reject this because, in the past, this has been unsuccessful.
"We would have preferred to negotiate a settlement. However, the employer has forced us into embarking on strike action in order to secure these demands.
"We are calling on the management to come to their senses and make an offer so that we can resolve the dispute. We remain ready to negotiate. But until a meaningful offer is put on the table, the strike will continue, and production will continue to be interrupted."
