GEORGE NEWS - MTO George Sawmill employees launched a protest action on Friday 14 July that continued this morning, Monday 17 July, when about 50 workers with placards were gathered at the entrance of the business premises in the George industrial area.
According to a shop steward on site, Siphiwo Kilo, they reached a deadlock during wage negotiations last week as MTO is not willing to grant a monthly increase of R820 across the board. The company is offering R300.
"MTO is offering an increase of about 3% this year. Last year we only got about 4% and during Covid we got nothing. Our wages are not keeping up with the rising cost of living, while the company is making profits."
Kilo said they are also negotiating about being paid during load shedding, when the plant is standing still. Promises of the company acquiring back-up electricity generation are not realising.
They are furthermore unhappy that five days are being subtracted from their annual leave for the factory's mini shut-down for maintenance every July.
The MTO office referred George Herald to a spokesperson who has not yet been available to comment.
Photos - Workers of MTO George sawmill are on strike over wages. Photos: Alida de Beer
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