Shoprite and Checkers workers affiliated to the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers’ Union (SACCAWU) are expected to down tools today, 22 December, in a protected one-day strike, supported by Cosatu.
According to Cosatu, there are more than 30 000 SACCAWU members who work for Shoprite Checkers and who will embark on the strike action.
The Shoprite Group said that this one-day work stoppage in some Shoprite and Checkers supermarkets in the country by SACCAWU members represented a portion of employees.
“The Group is disappointed that customers may not experience the service the Group would like to deliver in the height of the festive season, but it respects the rights of employees to protest in a peaceful and lawful manner,” the Shoprite Group said in a statement.
“We are confident that we will be able to keep our customers’ shopping experiences as pleasant as possible in the circumstances and thank them in advance for their understanding. Contingency plans are in place to keep stores open and trading as normal as possible.”
In a statement, Cosatu said, “These workers will be demanding an immediate end and reversal of the unilateral changes to working hours; including the reinstatement of Sandton Checkers’ employees who were subsequently dismissed for protesting against these changes.
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“They also demand the provision and payment of safe transport for workers who work night shifts.”
Two other demands were: ‘An immediate end to the reduction of working hours for part-time workers’ and ‘A guaranteed number of minimum working hours for part-time workers.’
#ShopriteCheckersStrike Ramatlhodi "The company practically undermined the decent jobs agenda and job security. Shoprite Checkers decided to change its operational patters, which is their prerogative and within their rights. However, they did not engage with the Union."
— Gerda de Sousa (@GerdaDS) December 22, 2017
Cosatu said the union would hold marches and protests in towns across the country today.
“The federation calls for solidarity action from other workers and shoppers on the day of the strike,” said Cosatu.
The Shoprite Group added that it was ‘a priority’ to resolve the matters that had been discussed over a period of time through the appropriate channels in the interest of all our employees, as well as our customers.
Workers at Shoprite Checkers outlets across the country will embark on a one-day strike today #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/PXvRP26EH1
— SAfm news (@SAfmnews) December 22, 2017
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