Business Report writes that operations at Dis-Chem Pharmacies are likely to be disrupted by a strike on Friday due to a wage impasse between management and the National Union of Public Service & Allied Workers (Nupsaw).
The union’s national organiser, Solly Malema, said: “We have failed to reach consensus with the management on wages and other conditions at work. The strike will go ahead as planned on Friday and it will affect all Dis-Chem operations in the country.” Dis-Chem spokesperson Caryn Barker stated: “We have already advised the union that unfortunately we are not in a position to meet their demands, so we expect the strike to go ahead on Friday.” Nupsaw said Dis-Chem had failed to meet its demands, which included a minimum wage of R12,500 per month across the board and an increase of 12.5% for those earning above R12,500. Malema accused Dis-Chem of not negotiating in good faith: “Our members had their security wage adjustments reduced without any explanation. To make matters worse, there are no guaranteed annual bonuses, yet the employer is busy planning expansion of 20 stores in the 2019 financial year, with the hard work of its more than 13,500 employees. This shows that Dis-Chem is not ashamed of its treatment towards employees.” But he added that the union was open to further negotiations with the company in an effort to prevent the strike.
- Read more of this report by Sandile Mchunu at SA Labour News
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