Tyre industry strike comes to an end

Lusanda Bill
1 October 2010

The tyre industry strike has come to an end after almost four weeks of striking.

Trade union Solidarity today said it concluded what it termed as “a favourable wage agreement”.

The employees were striking because they wanted a wage increase and better overtime pay, weekend pay and standby allowances.

A deal was reached today with manufacturers which include Continental, Dunlop, Bridgestone and Goodyear.

A three-year agreement was reached which means that this year the wage increase would be 9.0 percent and for the following two years it will be 7.5 percent.

Gideon du Plessis, deputy general secretary of Solidarity said “The strike was a matter of principle and employees felt that it was the only and last alternative to rectify salary scales in particular.

Throughout the process, Solidarity had bargained with the full mandate of its members and it was able to reach a fair wage increase agreement in a peaceful manner.”