Last throw of dice to avert bread strike

Workers in RCL Foods group’s Millbake, which forms part of the group’s sugar and milling division, are demanding a R9,000 basic salary, bonuses, medical aid, a R400 danger allowance and R900 housing allowance.

Union general secretary Sophonia Machaba said the strike would affect the production and distribution of Sunbake bread, flour and maize meal.

He said in an offer tabled last Friday, RCL Foods offered to contribute 40% to medical aid.

“There is a meeting this Wednesday [tomorrow] to discuss the outstanding demands. Once we get an offer on the outstanding demands, we will take them to our members for a mandate.

“We are also going to discuss and sign picketing rules with the employer,” Machaba said. They would consult with the members this Friday and, if the offer was rejected, a 48-hour strike notice would be served on RCL Foods to pave the way for a full-blown strike.

Stephen Heath, chief legal officer at RCL Foods, said their offer was a salary hike ranging between 12.5% for the lowest grade and 8% for the highest grade and a R150 travel allowance.

He said currently workers earned between R4,490 and R6,743 a month depending on their grade.

“There is no doubt that a strike will not be in the best interests of any of the parties,” he added.

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