Fin24 reports that according to retailer Shoprite Checkers, it is prepared for some of its workers downing tools on Friday, one of the busiest shopping days before Christmas.  

In a statement on Thursday, the Shoprite Group confirmed that a one-day work strike would take place on Friday in some Shoprite and Checkers supermarkets.  The company stated that only members of the SA Commercial‚ Catering and Allied Workers Union’ (Saccawu), representing only a portion of employees, were entitled to take part.  Saccawu and trade union federation Cosatu announced on Tuesday that 30,000 workers were planning to down tools at the group’s supermarkets.  Shoprite said that contingency plans were in place to keep stores open and trading as normal as possible.  Cosatu indicated on Wednesday that workers were demanding a reversal of changes to working hours‚ the reinstatement of employees at Sandton Checkers who were apparently dismissed for protesting against such changes‚ safe transport for workers who worked night shifts, and a guaranteed number of minimum working hours for part-time workers.

• Read this report by Yolandi Groenewald in full at Fin24

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