Toyota Strikers Reject Offer

kwaZulu-Natal Numsa regional secretary Mbuso Ngubane said: "We had a meeting with the employer and R300 (Rs 1076) was offered, with the condition of workers not being absent."

Ngubane said 480 workers affiliated to Numsa requested a R1500 retention bonus. A retention bonus is paid outside of an employee's standard salary to retain that person's services and is usually offered to key workers.

The Toyota Boshuku workers had embarked on an indefinite strike and picketed outside the factory from October 17, 2012.

'Production continued'

The factory makes seats and door trim for Toyota vehicles. Toyota Boshoku is an independent component supplier.

Toyota SA spokesman Leo Kok said production at the Prospecton plant in Durban was halted due to the strike.

Kok said: "It is important to note the strike was not instigated or supported by employees of Toyota SA Motors and that the plant continued with planned production until the Boshoku strike stopped component supply."

The Durban Labour Court granted the workers the right to strike.

Ngubane said the dispute started in 2009, when the company decided to give only one category of workers, the artisans, a R1500 (Rs 5386) retention bonus.

He said the decision was taken outside the bargaining chamber. Numsa requested that the bonus be given to all workers at the factory.