The first session of MIBCO wage- and substantive negotiations was held on the 7th and 8th of June 2016 during which the RMI engaged with NUMSA in particular, regarding its demand for the broad restructuring of the bargaining landscape through the inclusion of other stakeholders in the automotive value chain, such as the vehicle manufacturers and the oil companies, into the MIBCO bargaining forum. This is in an effort by NUMSA to align the retail vehicle sales- and component manufacturing sectors with the vehicle manufacturers on the one hand, and the retail fuel sector (filling and / or service stations) with the oil companies, on the other.
The RMI has, for many decades, successfully resisted the fusion of these sectors that are in essence vastly different in nature, and will continue to do so, given the mandate that the RMI negotiating team has obtained from members during its recent series of mandating roadshows in the regions.
The second session of negotiations took place on the 14th and 15th of June 2016 during which further bilateral meetings between the RMI and NUMSA took place in order to debate the fundamental reasons as to why the RMI cannot concede to the demand for the re-alignment of the mentioned sectors. Regrettably, no substantial progress was made in this regard.
To date, the parties have not engaged as regards the substantive issues (e.g. wages and other conditions of employment) that were tabled for negotiations. In all likelihood, this will only happen during the third session of negotiations scheduled for the 28th and 29th of June 2016, which creates the unavoidable possibility that the current Main Agreement, that expires on the 31st of August 2016, will not be replaced by a new agreement on the 1st of September 2016. Should this happen, the RMI will advise members as regards their continued obligations under the Administrative Agreement, which also expires on the 31st of August 2016 and which will only be re-enacted when the new Main Agreement is published and extended to non-party employers and employees in the industry.
Members who have queries in relation to any aspect raised in this Newsflash, may contact their respective RMI Regional Office and speak to the Regional Manager for further clarity.