The strike centres on whether the company, which is not part of the voluntary National Bargaining Forum, should pay the same wages as other auto companies. The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (NUMSA) says this strike will set a precedent for industrial policy. The union says says when production at the plant began in 2018, workers were paid Bargaining Forum rates. Precedent for industrial policyThe union says the immediate campaign is for wage rates, but the bigger issue is BAIC’s refusal to join the National Bargaining Forum. The National Bargaining Forum brings together South Africa’s major vehicle manufacturers.