Small metal and engineering businesses say the Metals and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council’s end will be its own doing.

A dispute over union membership numbers is holding up the extension of the wage agreement.

Neasa has said it will continue its constitutionally protected lockout of workers following the end of the wider strike in the metals sector.

A mammoth court battle between employers and SA’s largest bargaining council is set to have huge ramifications for labour and wage hike processes.