Strike hits Pretoria Zoo
Workers from National Trade Union Congress will embark on a strike at the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, known as the Pretoria Zoo.
National Zoological Gardens spokesperson Craig Allenby says the strike is expected to start on Saturday.
"We've received notice from the National Trade Union Congress that they intend to start striking from about midday," says Allenby.
Allenby says contingency plans are in place.
"The National Zoo has contingency plans in place to ensure the welfare of the animals and also the safety and convenience of our visitors and guests," says Allenby.
Allenby says the union wants a collective agreement signed in 2009, wherein the zoo formed a seven day a working week arrangements with its employees, set aside.
"This is in line with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and they want us to revert back to a five-day working week and pay overtime for weekends," says Allenby.
"This is unpractical, as the zoo is a seven day operation - the animals need to eat every day of the week and we are also open seven days a week."
Allenby says it is also financially unfeasible to meet their demands.
He says they are waiting for the union's arguments before they can proceed with negotiations.
"The zoo will continue to operate normally. They are not the majority of our employees - it's a third of our employees who will embark on the strike - so we have sufficient staff members to continue with the operation."