Trading at Pick ‘n Pay’s stores across the country was normal on Monday and the strike action was ”far more orderly”, the retail chain company said in a statement.
The group, however, still appealed to the South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers’ Union (Saccawu) to ensure that its members obey the law, especially at at least 10 stores in the Western Cape, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape.
”We would like to prevail upon union members to conduct themselves in accordance with the interdict we have in place,” Pick ‘n Pay chief executive Sean Summers said.
”Given that this strike will have to be resolved at some point, it follows that our workers currently on strike will remain our employees, as will the union remain our union.
”It is therefore vital that we maintain our composure and deal with the facts and issues at hand — it is these that will dictate our future.”
Several marches are expected to take place on Tuesday, and Summers said the company and the union are finalising picketing rules with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.
”This will include how many workers can picket at each store and in which demarcated areas they will be permitted to do so,” he said.
Summers said it is up to the union to come forward with a counter-proposal regarding salary increases.
”Saccawu ceased negotiations at the beginning of the strike and therefore the duty is theirs to respond to the company with a counter-proposal.”
Earlier, Saccawu’s deputy general secretary denied that union members are troublemakers.
”There are attempts to portray us as troublemakers,” said Mduduzi Mbongwe. ”We don’t want that.”
He said the situation regarding the continuing strike is ”extremely volatile” and that the union is assessing the situation before making any announcement.
In Gauteng, at least 141 striking Pick ‘n Pay workers were arrested over the weekend.
Mbongwe said they were arrested on the West Rand and would appear in court on Monday.
In the Western Cape, about 30 people were arrested.
The retailer is offering its workers an increase of R310 per month or 7,9%, whichever is greater. Unions are demanding the greater of 12% or R400. — Sapa