GroundUp reports that workers at Robertson Winery went on a protected strike on Wednesday, calling on the winery to pay them R8,500 a month (which amounts to a 57% average increase).
Karel Swartz of the Commercial, Stevedoring and Allied Workers' Union (CSAAWU) said the workers were currently earning between R2,900 and R3,500 a month before deductions. The winery is offering an 8% increase. Swartz reckoned that 211 of the 251 workers at the winery were on strike, while more than 200 of them protested on Wednesday morning outside the winery, which is apparently at a standstill. Swartz commented: “Workers demand a living wage. We must move away from percentage increases. It is not good. Workers are earning a slavery wage.” CSAAWU is also currently campaigning to make exporters of Robertson wines aware of the working and living situations of the workers at the winery. In a statement on the dispute, the CEO of the winery, Anton Cilliers, said its labour practices were measured by the “principles enshrined by the International Labour Organisation”.
- Read this report by Ashleigh Furlong in full at GroundUp
- See too, Robertson Winery tot stilstand oor staking, at Netwerk24 (limited access)
- And also, Fed-up workers Robertson Winery down bottles, at TimesLive
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page