General Motors fails to leave RSA quietly

General Motors (GM), the American owned automobile industry in South Africa, pulled out of the country amidst a series of disputes and strikes from workers fearing for their future. The decision to withdraw came after the United States of America decided to introduce tough economic sanctions against South Africa. The National Automobile and Allied Workers' Union demanded that their 3000 workers be paid a one-month separation pay for every year they have worked for General Motors. General Motors' refusal to agree to demands by workers caused them to embark on strikes. As a result, workers occupied some of GM plants and were forcibly removed from GM premises by the South African Defence Force and riot police. Reference: Niekerk, P. (1986). "GM's neat exit gets messier and messier" Weekly Mail, vol 2 (44): 7-13 November pp 6.