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Electrical Contracting Industry Signs Historic 72 Month Labour Agreement

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  • Agreement Hailed as “An Industrial Relations Miracle”
  • Private Sector Labour Ready to Effectively Serve Consumers for Next 72 Months
  • Wage Agreement Negotiation Lessons Learned
  • Solar PV Installers Recognised by ECA (SA)

During the latter part of 2022, the ECA(SA) and South African Equity Association (SAEWA) reached a historic six-year labour agreement for the South African Electrical Contracting Industry. The planned date of commencement is 1 March 2023.

ECA (SA) National Director, Mark Mfikoe called the agreement “an Industrial Relations Miracle”, and expressed the wish that business in South Africa and elsewhere would copy their blueprint.

Mark Mfikoe
Mark Mfikoe, National Director ECA (SA)

In essence there will be no strike nor lockdown on any of the issues contained in the collective agreement for the next six years. “We have delivered 72 months of industrial peace,” said Mfikoe.

Mfikoe praised stakeholders and the key role played by Dave Alcock, Stephen Khola, Michael Straton (Straton Electrical, Gqeberha), Robert McAlpine (SAEWA) and Deon van Deventer who drove the negotiations to their fair and successful closure.

The agreement sets out what the wages are going to be for the next 72 months as well as all the allowances, contributions to benefit funds and social security benefits applicable to the employees employed in the Electrical Contracting industry.

The ECA (SA) has taken cognisance of the various new categories of employment which now also cater for Solar PV Installations whilst committing to add other electrical industries employment categories during the life of the new collective agreement. Refrigeration, reticulation, electrical mining work will all be incorporated.

At the commencement of wage negotiations, there were 15 wage areas. One of the key demands of the union was to end up with one wage area. The ECA (SA) reasoned that the economic situation of the country justified differentiation and the compromise ended with an agreement that recognises three wage tiers.

The contributions by Dave and Michael – who crunched the numbers and produced a magical spreadsheet – were used to shape arguments and convince each other. The industry players and not the hired guns, delivered these wage negotiations.

Celebrating the historic agreement Mfikoe concluded by saying; “Congratulations to the team that delivered this milestone and well done to the industry that chose these credible individuals to deliver on their mandate – employees and employers alike. What a game, what an outcome. Well played!”

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.