Thousands of striking security guards marched peacefully to the offices of G4 Security in Hatfield, Pretoria, on Wednesday, handed over a memorandum of demands and dispersed.
A police helicopter, heavily armed police officers and a water cannon were on standby in case of trouble, but the march proceeded without incident.
Members of the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) handed over a memorandum at G4 Security, vowing not to settle for less than an 11% pay increase.
”We marched to G4 because as an international company and with the influence it has in the South African security sector it should set an example in improving workers’ living conditions,” said Paul Nephawe, national security-sector chairperson of Satawu.
He said he hopes the company will use its influence to bring other security companies back to the negations.
Satawu has refused to accept the 8% settlement on which 14 other unions have agreed.
The memorandum also calls for four months’ maternity leave for female workers.
The union plans a similar march in Johannesburg on Thursday to Springbok Fidelity’s office.
In March, strikers caused havoc in Pretoria and Johannesburg when they went on the rampage in the two cities.
Pretoria police spokesperson Inspector Paul Ramaloko said there were no reported cases of violence on Wednesday. — Sapa