Christmas came early for workers in the tyre sector as they’re set to experience a significant upsurge on their salaries after the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) clinched a three-year wage deal on their behalf.
According to NUMSA spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, the union has reached a worthwhile deal with the employers, comprising an annual across-the-board wage increase of 5.5% from July 2025, followed by 5% in both 2026 and 2027.
“These increases will be applied annually and are backdated to the effective start date of the agreement.
In addition to the across-the-board increases, NUMSA secured a commitment to move qualifying employees from the minimum to the maximum rate per grade over the three-year period, which means employees below the maximum rate will receive additional increases annually to close the gap.
By 30 June 2028, all qualifying employees (employed before 30 June 2025) will be earning the maximum rate for their grade,” said Hlubi-Majola.
The union has also announced that it successfully negotiated an increased contribution of 10 cents per hour from both employers and employees into a housing fund to support future housing needs.
“This initiative will be managed in a tax-effective manner and elevated to the Bargaining Council for implementation,” remarked the spokesperson.
NUMSA has heaped praise about the achievement claiming it mirrors its ongoing efforts to improve living conditions of the workers and its members.
“This agreement reflects NUMSA’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives of workers.
We encourage all workers in the tyre sector who are not yet members to join NUMSA and be part of a union that delivers,” Hlubi-Majola concluded.
