The union is demanding long-overdue salary increases and protesting what they describe as years of neglect by both the company’s board and government.

NUMSA says workers have not received salary increases in five years and are still reeling from periods of unpaid wages during the COVID-19 pandemic. The union accuses Denel’s leadership of betraying workers' trust and claims the current management is prioritising privatisation over employee welfare.

According to NUMSA National Spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, the final straw came after Denel’s executive management allegedly promised a 7% wage increase earlier this year, only for that decision to be reversed by the company’s board without explanation.

“Earlier in the year, a promise was made by the executive management to workers that they would be receiving a seven-percent increase. But that decision was changed by the board of Denel and this is what has caused workers to be up in arms,” said Hlubi-Majola.

She added that workers feel disrespected and ignored, as no justification was provided for the change. “The executive management highlighted that we would receive 7% earlier in the year; that was suddenly changed without reasons given by the board and this is why a decision was taken that they would picket today,” she said.

--SABC/ChannelAfrica--