Trade union Solidarity said on Wednesday that it would protect the interests of its members at Evraz Highveld Steel and Vanadium, in eMalahleni, after the company announced on Tuesday that it had entered into business rescue proceedings.
Solidarity, which represented 350 of the company’s 2 400 employees, confirmed that the steel producer had issued a notice to the trade union indicating that, owing to financial and operational challenges, it had “no choice” but to apply for business rescue.
The company attributed its poor performance to turbulent conditions in the steel and vanadium industries.
“The South African steel industry is currently experiencing difficult times. As a trade union we are all too aware of the challenges the industry is facing at the moment. Solidarity will see to it that the interests of its members are taken care of in negotiations about the process with the company’s management.
“The process creates uncertainty and tension among staff members. For this reason, we will, where we can, support and assist them on an ongoing basis,” commented Solidarity spokesperson Moira-Marie Kloppers.