Barloword strike ends

SEVENTEEN employees of Barloworld Plascon Namibia who were on strike for nine days returned to work yesterday after signing a strike-settlement agreement with the company.

The 17 – who are members of the Metal and Allied Namibian Workers’ Union (Manwu) – had downed tools on September 27 after reaching a deadlock with the company’s management over wage increases. They initially rejected an offer by the company of an eight per cent wage increase backdated to January 1 2005, demanding a 12 per cent across-the-board wage increase plus a transport allowance of N$115 per month.But on Friday, they accepted an average eight per cent increase backdated to January 1 2005.The transport allowance issue was dropped for the time being.Manwu General Secretary Moses Shiikwa said the workers were satisfied with the agreement, which resulted in them receiving wage increases ranging between six and 11 per cent.Barloword Plascon General Manager Niel du Plessis maintained his position that the strike was not necessary.”The company maintains that the strike was unnecessary.Striking employees have accepted the same offer made by the company at the conciliation board before the strike commenced,” said Du Plessis.They initially rejected an offer by the company of an eight per cent wage increase backdated to January 1 2005, demanding a 12 per cent across-the-board wage increase plus a transport allowance of N$115 per month.But on Friday, they accepted an average eight per cent increase backdated to January 1 2005.The transport allowance issue was dropped for the time being.Manwu General Secretary Moses Shiikwa said the workers were satisfied with the agreement, which resulted in them receiving wage increases ranging between six and 11 per cent.Barloword Plascon General Manager Niel du Plessis maintained his position that the strike was not necessary.”The company maintains that the strike was unnecessary.Striking employees have accepted the same offer made by the company at the conciliation board before the strike commenced,” said Du Plessis.