Ford South Africa boss, Jeff Nemeth, said talks between metal workers union Numsa and the manufacturers employers association Ameo, began last year.
He said they've mapped out a process to be followed when talks resume on Friday.
Wage negotiations usually start with the car manufacturers where Numsa is the main player and then proceed separately in the component and tyre sectors.
Nemeth said while manufacturers deal only with one union Numsa, it's more fragmented in the automotive component and other sectors, where a new union Limusa has emerged in opposition to Numsa.
