Makro workers to down tools from Friday
Workers affiliated to the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (Saccawu) are expected to embark on a strike at Makro stores over wage increases.
The 10-day strike will start on Friday.
The trade union is demanding a R900 or 12% across the board, a monthly minimum wage of R8000, and the13th cheque to be made separate from their December salary.
Saccawu spokesperson Sithembele Tshwete says they also want a uniform allowance of R100.
"We have issued a notice to resume the strike action 10-day strike at Makro to pressurise the company to accede to the demands for an improvement in wages and working conditions.
"Saccawu will be holding nationwide marches to various Makro stores to hand over memorandum of demands, the strike action will be characterized by nationwide boycotts of all products from these stores."
Massmart's Brian Leroni says the company has no intention of amending the wage offer.
"Massmart has deployed outsourced retail staff to those stores that may be affected by the strike action that has been announced by Saccawu and fully anticipate that our Makro stores will continue to operate without interruption.
"Our research has revealed little support for the strike action amongst Saccawu members. Evidence supporting this is that there has been a massive spike in resignations from the union since the strike action was announced. "
Leroni says the trade union demand of 12% across the board is unrealistic.
"This is in addition to the more than approximately 1 200 Makro employees who have resigned from the union in order to accept the company’s wage offer.
"The union demand for a 12% increase and 20% commission on sales is quite clearly unrealistic and is a direct contradiction to the fact that Saccawu accepted the company offer at our Game and Builders stores."
The main marches are expected to be held in Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town.
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