CEPPWAWU statement on bargaining 12-07-07

 

*PRESS STATEMENT*

The Chemical Energy Paper Printing Wood & Allied Workers Union (CEPPWAWU) is
currently involved in three different industries, namely Metal Engineering
Industrial Bargaining Council, (MEIBC) National Bargaining Council for the
Chemical Industry, (NBCC ) and the National Bargaining Council for Wood &
Paper Sector NBCWPS) for 2007/08 wage and working conditions negotiations.
The union is representing 65500 members in the scope of these industries.

The CEPPWAWU members in MEIBC are already part of the strike that started on
the 09 July 2007 with NUMSA and Solidarity, while members in the Chemical
and Wood & Paper industries are in deadlock and or in dispute resolving
processes.

The core demands from labour include the following;

1. Wage increase 10% across the board
2. Maternity leave 6 months fully paid
3. Minimum wage R4000.00 per month
4. Shift allowance 20% for all shifts
5. Labour brokers Workers employed by labour brokers must have the same benefits as permanent employees

CEPPWAWU had a national meeting on the 9th July, to assess the state of
these wage negotiations and the outcome of that meeting and resolution is as
follows;

1. If the labour demands are not met by the 25 July 2007, CEPPWAWU
will canvas the support of other unions i.e., SACWU, Solidarity, UASA
and others to embark on a full blown strike on the 30th July 2007 in
the Chemical and Wood & Paper Industries.
2. The union will go back and mobilize its members for the decision
above and convene another national Stratcom meeting on the 26th July 2007 to finalize
the notices for the strike.

CEPPWAWU calls upon all members to discuss these demands and go to their
locals and regional shop stewards councils with full mandates. These
meetings will culminate in RECs consolidating mandates for the national
meeting mentioned above.

• Issued by CEPPWAWU Head Office - General Secretary Welile Nolingo*
• Tel 011 833 2870 or Cell 082 375 5586.*