NATIONAL NEWS - The National Union of Leather and Allied Workers (Nulaw) has settled its 2018 Wage Negotiations for the Footwear Sector.

The Southern African Footwear and Leather Industries Association (Saflia) agreed to the union’s demands after an almost five-week protected national strike by our members.

"Our members are happy with the settlement. Striking was never our first option but workers were left with no option but to fight for a decent increase," says Nulaw general secretary, Ashley Benjamin.

"We tried everything within our means to avoid industrial action." Both Nulaw and the Southern African Clothing and Textiles Workers' Union (Sactwu) embarked on protected strike action on 9 July.

Workers in the footwear sector will receive a 7.5% increase and the family responsibility leave provisions will be extended to a member’s spouse when hospitalised and in the case of chronic or serious illness.

Other peripheral issues will be referred to a task team for further discussion. The wage increase will be backdated to 1 July, 2018 and the agreement will be in force for a period of 12 months.

"We are happy that the strike is over and the industry can return to normality," says Benjamin.

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