Johannesburg – The National Union of Metalworkers South Africa (Numsa) announced on Friday the union is willing to accept the offer by the Retail Motor Industry (RMI) and Fuel Retailers Association (FRA) of an 11,6% wage increase in 2013.

According to a Numsa statement released on Friday workers in the fuel retail sector will return to work on Monday.

Workers in the sector have been on strike for more than three weeks. On Monday Labour Minister Mildred Olifant intervened in negotiations between the union and employer bodies to help reach an agreement and bring an end to the strike.

Employers offered the striking workers an increase of 11.6% in 2013, followed by annual increases of 9% for 2014 and 2015.

“This is a victory given the 7.5% offered by motor bosses at the point of deadlock,” said Numsa General Secretary Irvin Jim in the statement.

The strike in other sectors of the motor industry, such as panel beaters, spares shops, car and parts dealerships, is set to continue. Negotiations on wages and employment conditions in other sectors of the motor industry resumed on Friday afternoon.

“Numsa salutes all striking Numsa members in the motor industry for having sacrificed their income for 3 weeks to champion a better life for their families. We are proud of you,” said Jim.

About 70 000 workers are reported to have been on strike.

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