Saccawu kicks off national strike at Massmart
Thousands of members affiliated with the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (Saccawu) will embark on a national strike at all companies owned by Walmart-led Massmart on Friday morning.
The Massmart group include the biggest warehouse stores in the country including Makro, Rhino Cash & Carry, Jumbo Cash & Carry, Cambridge and various independent Cash & Carry stores.
The strike action follows a wage dispute between the union and the employer - the union is demanding an increase of R500 across the board while the employer is offering R320.
The union’s Sithembele Tshwete says more than 18 000 workers will down tools until all their demands are met.
The strike is comes ahead of Black Friday, which is the biggest shopping day for retailers.
“The strike action arises from a group-wide dispute concerning unilateral restructuring and unilateral changes to terms and conditions of employment. This unilateralism included attempts to impose a 40-hour working week, which includes Sunday work with no premium as well as reduction of working hours from 195 hours to 120 hours, with consequent reduction of remuneration to workers, at some distribution centres.
"A dispute concerning unilateral changes to terms and conditions of employment at Makro – which includes unreasonably high targets for commission earners,” says Tshwete.
Massmart has confirmed that contingency plans are in place and stores will open their doors on time despite the strike.
The group says contract workers will be used to help out where permanent staff are on strike.
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