NUMSA secures above-inflation multi-year deal for workers at South 32 Hillside Aluminium

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has secured an above-inflation multi-year agreement for workers at mining and metal company South 32 Hillside Aluminium.

The five-year wage agreement signed on Wednesday took effect at the beginning of September and will hold until August 2030.

This follows one-month-long amicable talks between the union and South 32.

Wages for "on-market technicians" and artisans will increase by 6% for each year until 2028.

For the fourth and fifth year, the wage increase will be 6% or CPI plus 0.5%, whichever is greater.

"Above market artisans" and operators will receive a 5.5% increase for each of the first three years of the agreement.

The final two years will be the same increase or CPI plus 0.5%, whichever is greater.

NUMSA spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said: "Annual medical aid erosion benefit will increase every year for the duration of the five-year agreement."

She said workers will also receive a once-off signing bonus of R20,000.

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