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Fin24 reports that the SA Commercial, Catering, and Allied Workers’ Union (Saccawu) is planning to picket at all of Makro warehouses in SA on Black Friday (25 November) as well as on Saturday.
The union accuses the Massmart-owned company of dismissing its wage demands and targeting members. But, the firm maintains that not all its staff are supportive of the union's actions, and it expects normal trade in its stores over the two-day period. In October, Saccawu submitted a memorandum of demands including a R900 or 12% increase across the board, whichever was greater, an R8,000 minimum wage, as well as a thirteenth cheque. The union launched a three-day strike at the time. "Instead of responding to our memorandum and heeding the initiative by the union to return to the table and find an amicable solution to the current dispute, the company has elected to threaten members to withhold payment of bonuses through an internal memo," the union claimed in a statement on Thursday. Saccawu accused Makro of forcing its members to leave the union by targeting shop stewards by "victimising and harassing" them. Massmart’s Brian Leroni said the group was aware that Saccawu intended to target Makro with strikes for some time and had prepared and implemented contingency plans, including the deployment of trained temporary employees. According to Leroni, Makro pays the highest minimum wage in the retail industry and has among the best maternity, medical and pension benefits. "Our position remains unchanged and is consistent with the 4.5% wage offer that Saccawu has agreed during the past two weeks in our Game and Builders stores,” Leroni indicated.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard compiled by Khulekani Magubane at Fin24
- Read too, Makro says planned strike won't disrupt its Black Friday sales, at Business Insider SA
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page