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The Citizen reports that about 175 workers, mostly members of the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC), have gone on strike at RCL Foods’ business unit Millbake over a wage dispute.
Millbake is RCL’s largest milling and bread, flour and maize meal producer. The consumer goods company has apparently obtained an urgent court interdict to stop the unprotected industrial action. According to the company’s Stephen Heath, the long-running dispute reached a deadlock with workers downing tools over management’s refusal to increase basic monthly salaries to R9,000 generally, and to R15, 000 for those earning above R9,000 per month. He said they were considering further legal action against the union and also disciplinary action against the workers who went on strike as the action was “an unprotected and illegal one as the union hasn’t followed the proper procedures as set out in the Labour Relations Act.” Heath added that the demand from the union was for an average salary increase of 112%, which was neither reasonable nor possible. As a result of the strike, the company has withdrawn its offer of a 14% average increase (inclusive of contributions to medical aid and travel) and had reverted to its original offer of 6%. “We have, however, made individual offers to employees who don’t strike and want to accept the 14% and some have accepted this.” Heath said although the strike had caused some disruption, the company had contingency plans to put in place should the strike continue.
- Read the full original of Gcina Ntsaluba’s report on the strike at The Citizen
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page