SAB turns to court over strike violence

SAB has turned to the Labour Court in an attempt to bring an end to "intimidation and violence" in a strike by workers affiliated to Fawu.

 

"The Labour Court today [Monday] issued an order that calls on the leadership of the Food and Allied Workers' Union [Fawu] to appear before the court to explain what steps it has taken to halt the violence...," SA Breweries (SAB) spokeswoman Robyn Chalmers said in a statement.

 

She said 68 incidents of violence and intimidation had taken place since the strike started. 

 

"These have included burning employees' cars, firebombing employees' houses and malicious damage to property, as well as anonymous intimidatory calls to working employees and their families."

 

Workers have been on strike for four weeks, demanding a nine percent salary increase across the board and equal participation in the board of trustees of the provident fund.

 

SAB has offered a seven percent average wage increase with performance-related pay.

 

The union distanced itself from violence and intimidation. 

 

"The Food and Allied Workers' Union condemns the alleged incidents of violence and intimidation brought to the attention of its leadership by the management of SAB," president Atwell Nazo said in a statement.

 

He appealed to members on strike not to be party to any acts of violence and intimidation and to picket peacefully within the parameters of the law. 

 

"Fawu is a disciplined organisation and will remain as such," he said.

 

-Sapa