* SACCAWU SACCAWU Press Release* *Pick 'n Pay workers strike*/More than twenty-seven thousand (27 000) SACCAWU members at Pick 'n Pay went on strike action from 24 September 2010/
*How **Pick 'n Pay **workers came to the decision to engage in strike action:*
SACCAWU submitted proposals, as mandated by its members, to Pick 'n Pay in December 2009.
Negotiations were to be concluded within three months with the implementation date being the beginning of March 2010.
The Company did not respond to SACCAWU proposals for four months, but instead decided to advise the the Union of threats to job security using Clause 8 of the Flexibility and Mobility Agreement which has since been unilaterally terminated by the Company.
Only after SACCAWU declared a dispute in April did the company respond to the Union.
The Company only tabled its offer during a dispute resolution meeting in May 2010.
In July the conciliation session under the auspices of the CCMA failed and the Union obtained a certificate to embark on a protected industrial action.
On 21 -- 22 September mediation under the auspices of the CCMA failed to break the deadlock
*Workers had enough*Workers had enough of this deliberate delaying tactics and the disdain shown by the company in this round of negotiations. After two days of failed mediation under the auspices of the CCMA in an attempt to break the deadlock between SACCAWU and Pick 'n Pay, members have *decided to go on a strike from 24 September*.
At stake are wage increases, increased hours of work for *Variable Time Employees* - VTEs (part-time/casual) and other issues. SACCWU also demand the end of the use of *labour brokers* and the establishment of a *Centralised Bargaining Forum* for the Retail and Wholesale sector.
This strike come as a result of and in the context of the Company's *delaying tactics *and their *absurd counter-proposals* which amongst other things arrogantly expect from workers to accept no increases in 2011 and 2012, but merely an adjustment in their wages equal to the inflation rate. These are likely to lead to *a cut in real wages* for workers and further impoverish already poor working class families.
*Company intransigence*This intransigence by the Company, coupled with unilateral restructuring in the Company, unilateral termination of the agreement on Flexibility and Mobility, the failure to resolve the problems of racism in the workplace, a hostile witch-hunting of shop-floor leaders, the refusal by the Company to send representative to meeting with the Union with powers to negotiate and take decisions and the stubborn refusal of the Company CEO to meet with SACCAWU national leaders seem to suggest a much more sinister trend than the normal hitches in the course of industrial relationships -- all point to one thing, concerted efforts by Pick 'n Pay, to weaken SACCAWU on the shop-floor, and appear consistent with a general trend observed in the retail sector as a whole - to break the union in the workplace while paying lip-service to workers, rights as enshrined in the Constitution.
It is in this context that we have to state that the Company does not give us a choice but to embark on this strike. We are aware that the company as is becoming synonymous with industrial action in the sector, and that the Company intends employing *scab labour sourced through labour brokers* in order to weaken the strike and break the morale of workers.
*SACCAWU's appeal to customers*However, we want to alert customers that normal excellent service offered by regular staff will be compromised and appeal to loyal Pick 'n Pay customers to demonstrate their loyalty to workplace justice and social consciousness as well as their appreciation of the excellent service provided by us and not to patronise Pick 'n Pay for the period 24 -- 27 September 2010.
*_Workers demand_:* * *R550 per month increase or 12% whichever is greater* * *A 10% Staff discount on basic food stuff.* * *120 hours per month guaranteed for Variable Time Employees* * *A one year agreement wage agreement* *SACCAWU further demands:* * *end the use of labour brokers* * *the establishment of a Centralised Bargaining Forum*Union members have vowed to ensure the operations of various operating units/stores are severely hit for the duration of the strike. The Union has also noted that the Company has planned to open two new stores during the month of October 2010. Members have further vowed to intensify their strike action beyond the initial four days should the dispute remain unresolved and this will include ensuring that the Company will not be able to open its new stores, including the Harlingham and Vosloorus stores scheduled to open on the 24th and 28th of October respectively.
While the Union remain open to genuine dialogue aimed at breaking the current impasse, it is unfortunate that the CEO's response to the impending strike is to look forward to receiving the notice to strike. This attitude and response is exactly what healthy industrial relations do not need, and is a clear indication of the type of leadership at the helm of the Company and the reasons why strikes that could be avoided happen in the Company. We would've expected that the CEO of any company to look forward to resolve the dispute instead of looking forward to accept the notice of strike. It is for this reason that the Union reiterate its call for the company to engage in meaningful negotiations with SACCAWU.
*Contact:* *Mduduzi Mbongwe, Deputy General-Secretary, 082 336 5146**Mike Abrahams, Media Officer, 082 336 5363 and [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>*
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