The RMI, Numsa and two other parties have come up with a three-year agreement for wages and other aspects involving the conditions of employment covering the retail motor aftermarket. The agreement will be put in place once the Minister of Labour decides on a date after it appears and is gazetted in the Government Gazette. The publication of these details is expected to take place towards the end of the month. The agreement will expire at the end of August 2010.

According to reports on theautomobil.co.za, national bargaining in the retail motor industry is a difficult task because it has to meet the needs of a very diverse group. A deal has to be made that satisfies those working in rural areas, to those working in urban areas. It has to "cover different sectors and interest groups within the same bargaining unit."

Leading up to the agreement there was a four-month bargaining period and a 14-day strike by Numsa members. The reasons for the strike are highly speculated over because it is unclear why members of Numsa would strike when a deal satisfying all parties was evident. Analysts report that the reasons could range from "political muscle-flexing exercise in the run up to the ANC's December conference to strengthen Cosatu's views in the Government/ Cosatu alliance," to "pre-planned strike action for selfish PR objectives, all against what strike action through power play should achieve - looking after the well-being of workers."

No matter what the reasons behind the strike were, it seems that other positive outcomes have come out of it all. More training initiatives to increase skills has been agreed upon by both employers and trade unions.

"The three-year deal, despite the challenges of finding a solution mutually acceptable to all, will bring about stability and peace in the industry and, with time and focused energy, is aimed at improving the well-being of both business and the workforce, including more efficiencies and productivity in the workplace and better conditions of employment for employees and their families."