Cement and concrete manufacturer Lafarge South Africa has confirmed that about 800 of its employees will embark on a protected strike on Thursday evening.
Following extensive negotiations, the company and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), had not been able to reach an agreement over several matters, including salary increases.
Lafarge South Africa was offering a salary increase of 7.5% while the NUM was demanding 8.5%. Other issues included acting allowances, salary gaps and housing grants. The company was offering an acting allowance of 30% of an employee’s monthly basic salary while the NUM was demanding 35%.
NUM was also demanding a housing grant of R100 000, while Lafarge South Africa was offering R50 000. In addition, the union had submitted a proposal regarding salary discrepancies. Lafarge South Africa recommended that the two matters be dealt with by a special task team comprising union representatives and management.
Negotiations were ongoing.