Update, 8.30am on 17 November:
It seems that protesters are again gathering outside the Dis-Chem warehouse in Glen Austin this morning.
Update, 12.30pm on 16 November
Dis-Chem has called the wage demands by the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw) ‘unrealistic’ and said, in a statement, that it is not in a position to meet such demands.
The union is calling for a minimum wage of R12 500 and an annual increase of 12,5 per cent for all employees earning above that amount.
The statement further read that Dis-Chem had made it clear that this was not sustainable in the current economic climate and that it would severely impact the company’s future operations.
The majority of the striking employees are from Dis-Chem’s distribution centres, which operated at a significant loss in the last financial year, said the statement.
Dis-Chem said it was open to negotiations with employees but the union was not invited to the table.
“The union representation is inadequate as it only represents less than 14 per cent of the workforce”.
While it is reported that more than 2 000 employees are on strike, Dis-Chem said only a small group had gathered at the Midrand depot.
Dis-Chem’s Caryn Barker said the usual no work, no pay, no benefit policy would apply for the duration of the strike.
“Sadly, the dispute will hurt striking employees, who will enter the festive season with diminished earnings,” said Barker.
The company apologised to those affected by the strike and assures customers that ‘contingency plans are in place to ensure stores operate as normal’.
Dis-Chem hoped that this wage dispute would be resolved soon.
Update, 10.58am
Dis-Chem employees, who were striking near the K101 this morning, 16 November, have made their way to the Mall of Africa.
Earlier
Calm has been restored after police fired rubber bullets at Dis-Chem employees who were striking near the K101 this morning, 16 November.
About 2 000 employees gathered at Stagger Road after the rubber bullets were fired. The employees under the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw) are on a national strike demanding a salary increase to R12 500 and annual bonuses that are equal to basic salaries.
Chairperson of the Union, Solly Malema, said the employer was not prepared to come to the negotiation table with them and that the strike would continue until the company succumbs. “We feel that as we intensify the strike, the company will eventually come to the table and negotiate,” said Malema.
Members of the union revealed that three employees were shot and injured after police shot rubber bullets at them.
“I had not arrived at the time of the incident but I am liaising with my members. There are reports of two arrested members and we will ensure that they are released soon,” added Malema.
Spokesperson for the Midrand Police Station, Sergeant Matome Tlamela, said police had fired rubber bullets after the employees closed the Old Pretoria Road and threw stones at passing vehicles.
“The crowd was becoming violent and police had to fire rubber bullets to try and restore calm,” said Tlamela.
Midrand Community Policing Forum had earlier this morning posted this message on their Facebook page to warn community members about the possible strike action.
Community members have said they saw protesters and police on the scene.
https://twitter.com/TrafficSA/status/1063303552301441026
Yesterday, IOL reported that the strike was part of a nationwide strike as a result of a wage impasse between members of the National Union of Public Service & Allied Workers (Nupsaw) and Dis-Chem Pharmacies’ management. It was further reported that Malema said that the strike would affect Dis-Chem operations around the country.
The spokesperson for Dis-Chem, Caryn Barker, is further reported to have said that they could not meet the union’s demands and therefore expected Friday’s strike to go ahead.
This is not the first time that Dis-Chem employees affiliated to Nupsaw went on strike. On 17 January, they went on strike outside the company’s distribution centre in Midrand. The strike was said to be aimed at forcing the company to recognise the union.
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