/ 24 November 2008

Woolworths, union bury the hatchet

Woolworths has granted organisational rights to the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers’ Union, the listed retailer said on Monday.

”This is a win-win outcome as it clears up the dispute that has been hovering for more than 10 years. It provides the platform for the SA Commercial Catering and Allied Workers’ Union and Woolworths to engage proactively within an agreed framework,” said Fiona Fewell, divisional director of human resources for Woolworths.

This followed the conclusion of a verification process by the retailer and the union.

The process showed that Saccawu’s membership had increased to 30,29% after the recent strike, from less than 15% in November 2007.

”This is sufficient for Woolworths to grant organisational rights to the union,” the retailer said.

The organisational rights provided for union subscriptions to be deducted from the salaries of workers who were union members, as well as union access to company premises to recruit members and hold meetings.

The union did not have the right to negotiate employee contracts, wages or any aspect of Woolworths employment proposition as this required a 50% plus one member for full recognition of the union.

Saccawu spokesperson Thabo Mahlangu called the acquisition of organisational rights ”a first step”.

”Now that we have access to workers, Saccawu will be able to increase its membership to a point where it has full recognition by Woolworths,” he said.

Woolworths said it would implement the stop-order facilities for union members from December and it would finalise details of access to premises with the union in early 2009. – Sapa