The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has given notice that, with effect from 14 November, is going on a strike as ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) announced that it will be affecting 107 workers.
“NUMSA has issued a strike notice to the company and it begins on Thursday the 14th of November,” NUMSA said in a statement reported Reuters.
The strike reportedly started with a picket at the AMSA plant in Vanderbijlpark about 70km south of Johannesburg. However, the union said its members “have been provoked into striking” after the conclusion of a job-cutting process.
Ahead of the Christmas holidays, NUMSA, an affiliate of IndustriALL, has criticized ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) for handling recent retrenchments, accusing the company of treating workers inhumanely. The union says that it is evident in how they refused to provide any alternative to the job losses, such as voluntary severance packages and early retirement.
“Only a cruel and uncaring management can toss workers out into the sea of unemployment just before Christmas, and this is why they must be strongly condemned,” said Kabelo Ramokhathali, NUMSA regional secretary for Sedibeng.
NUMSA has highlighted the bleak future job prospects for workers affected by recent retrenchments, citing South Africa’s challenging economic conditions and high unemployment rates, currently at 41.9%, the union fears that many of those laid off may struggle to find new employment opportunities.
ArcelorMittal South Africa reported a loss of 1.11 billion rand ($61.63 million) in the six months to June 30, which increased from another loss of 448 million rand in the same period last year amid difficult trading conditions in local and regional markets.
ArcelorMittal had announced plans to close the steel plant in the KwaZulu-Natal province in November 2023. The steelmaker said in July that it decided against shutting its steel plant, exploring a plan to make it viable.
Paule France Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary for Sub-Saharan Africa, said, “AMSA must consider retrenchments as a last resort and further engage in dialogue with NUMSA to explore job preservation and further protect workers interests.”