Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) on Wednesday halted production at its Prospecton plant in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, following a strike by one of its component suppliers.

Members of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) embarked on a protected strike at the Toyota Boshoku plant – an independent supplier of seats and door panels used in all TSAM’s locally produced vehicles.

Numsa spokesperson Mbusa Ngubane told Engineering News Online that the entire workforce at the Boshoku plant had downed tools, with about 480 employees currently on strike.

“On Wednesday, the employer has attempted to end the strike and offered an increase of about R200, which was rejected by the members. However, we are available at any given time to renegotiate the salaries and hope to conclude this as soon as possible,” Ngubane noted.

He added that the dispute started in 2009, when Boshoku decided to give only one category of workers, the artisans, a R1 500 retention bonus. He said the decision was taken outside the bargaining chamber. Numsa wanted the bonus extended to all workers.

South Africa’s largest vehicle manufacturer said in a statement the strike was not instigated or supported by employees of TSAM.

Earlier this month, production at the Prospecton plant was halted for four days when TSAM workers affiliated with Numsa downed tools over wages.

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