Sactwu happy with wage talks outcome

THE SA Clothing and Textile Workers Union (Sactwu) has said it was pleased with the outcome of the 2021 blanket sector wage negotiations that had managed to secure workers’ increases above inflation.

The blanket industry is a seasonal industry with over 100 000 workers registered.

It is one of the worst affected industries by wage disparities with an average worker earning about R26 an hour in the metro and R25 an hour in non-metro areas.

The industry has managed to keep jobs during the pandemic and unions had lauded employers for their co-operation.

A spokesperson for the union, Oupa Hadebe, said the settlement provided for a 4.77% wage increase for metro areas, and 6.66% for non-metro areas.

The weighted average increase for both areas is 5.2%.

“These wage increases will become effective from August 1.

“This wage agreement was reached with the South African Blankets Manufacturing Employers’ Organisation and signed on June 9,” Hadebe said.

He said the union was proud of its achievements in trying to level the scales between metro and non-metro workers. There was a huge divide in terms of payments because of the apartheid wage structure.

“The negotiations were conducted on a hybrid virtual platform under the auspices of the National Textile Bargaining Council.

“Increases will cover the 12-month period from August 1 to July 31, 2022.” |