Negotiations in the Plastic Industry are close to being settled after employers tabled a conditional and unmandated settlement offer on Tuesday, 20 May 2025.
Natalie Van Vreden, Plastic Convertors Association of South Africa (PCASA) Chief Executive Officer, confirmed “that after five rounds of negotiations that commenced on 10 April 2025, employers tabled a fair and compelling conditional and unmandated offer to bring the negotiations to a close.”
The offer presented to the trade unions on 20 May 2025, is conditional and unmandated “as the understanding amongst the parties is that both sides will take the offer back to their respective constituencies in an endeavour to receive a mandate to hopefully settle.” Van Vreden said.
The PCASA is the largest representative body of employers registered with the MEIBC in the plastics sector, boasting a membership of approximately 230 employers who collectively employ more than 33,000 employees. The PCASA was joined in the negotiations by representatives from NEASA, CEO, SAEFA and three Employer Associations affiliated to SEIFSA. The unions are represented by NUMSA, NUM, Solidarity, UASA, MEWUSA and SAEWA.
“Negotiations this year commenced with the parties signing-off and committing to a process or relationship agreement, inclusive of a declaration to negotiate in good faith.” Van Vreden said.
The offer tabled on 20 May 2025 proposes a three-year agreement, with increases based on minimum rates of pay of 7% in year 1; 6% in year 2 and 6% in year 3. The three-year duration will ensure stability and sustainability within the Plastics Industry for both employers and employees. In addition, the signatories are committed to processing the agreement for gazettal and extension to all non-party employers and employees in the plastic sector.
“The parties have agreed to reconvene on 6 June 2025, to receive feedback from all parties involved. If mandated, we will finalise an agreement that will have the support of all employers and trade unions in the plastics sector,” said Van Vreden.
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