The New Age reports that Clover was due on Tuesday to be faced with an “illegal” national strike, with about 2,100 members of General Industries Workers’ Union of SA (Giwusa) intending to down tools in demand for an 11.5 % wage increase and a monthly housing subsidy of R1,500.
The union said protracted wage negotiations, which have been held over the past four months, had not yielded a satisfactory resolution. Yet, Clover claimed the strike was suspended on 21 September and went on to state: “We have not received any communication from the Giwusa team advising us that the previously agreed suspension is no longer valid. If Giwusa-affiliated members proceed with the strike action today, this will be considered as an illegal or unprotected strike.” But, Giwusa’s Godfrey Motene responded: “Clover is playing games, it is not true that our strike was officially suspended. We initially suspended the strike during the time we rejected their latest wage offer on Friday, we subsequently served another 48-hour strike notice as a result. We are going ahead with our strike today.” Clover apparently held separate negotiations with the Food and Allied Workers Union (Fawu), which is also recognised. Fawu’s Pulane Maine said: “We can confirm that our members are happy with what Clover has offered and there are no other outstanding issues.
- Read this report by Refilwe Magashule in full at The New Age
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