SowetanLive reports that at least 36 Shoprite Checkers workers in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, have been fired after they protested against the dismissal of four of their colleagues for "accepting tips from customers".
The group staged a protest at the supermarket last Friday after learning of the fate of their colleagues a few days before. David Tefo of the SA Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers’ Union (Saccawu) indicated that workers had embarked on an illegal strike to prevent Shoprite from enforcing disciplinary proceedings against their four colleagues. The employer failed to serve them with letters nor were they subjected to fair disciplinary processes and procedures, Tefo claimed. A till packer commented that they were perplexed by the wholesale giant's decision to fire them, saying: "We were confused because we were acting within our rights. Our colleagues were fired because they accepted tips from customers. It's not like they stole money." Shoprite confirmed that the employees were dismissed for partaking in an unlawful work stoppage, but only after repeated requests to return to work and address grievances through available internal channels. Shoprite said internal appeal procedures were available.
- Read the full original of the report by Tankiso Makhetha on this story at SowetanLive
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