Thousands of Shoprite Checkers workers would resume their countrywide strike on Monday, the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers’ Union said.
”The strike is continuing today [Monday]. There hasn’t been any negotiations or talks of a meeting, so the strike will continue,” Saccawu negotiator Thoko Mchunu said.
Lunch-hour pickets would again be held at Shoprite stores throughout the country.
The protected strike involves 35 000 union members and thousands of non-members who support the union. Saccawu began with lunch-hour pickets on July 18.
”We are demanding an increment of R300 or 10%, whichever is greater, and improved working conditions, but the employers only offered R265,” said Mchunu.
The union said the company uses ”too many” part-time workers, who on average work only 26 hours a week for R982.
Of Shoprite’s 52 000 employees, 35 000 are Saccawu members and are participating in the national strike, Mchunu said.
Shoprite could not be reached immediately for comment.
Over the weekend, gangs robbed and damaged three Shoprite stores in Cape Town. Nine people were arrested, Cape Town police spokesperson Inspector Bernadine Steyn said on Sunday.
She said striking workers were believed to be behind the attacks. — Sapa