More than 200 workers at Food Corp, better known as Nola in Randfontein, staged a massive strike outside the company’s building owing to a pay dispute.
This was on 23 July and workers were up in arms demanding a pay increase of 10 per cent after the company offered a 6,5 per cent hike.
According to Mandla Ngcobo from South African Commercial Allied Workers Union (SACAWU) who represented the workers, the offer management put forward is an insult to them and they will not budge until a better offer is made.
“This is ridiculous,” says Ngcobo.
“The price of food and petrol is constantly increasing and our salaries remain stagnant.
“The company cannot expect us to make do with a mere 6,5 per cent increase. It is just unreasonable.
“We are adamant that they can afford to give us a pay rise.
“In turn, we refuse to work and will put down our tools until a reasonable offer is put on the table,” says Ngcobo.
Acccording to Food Corp’s Managing Director Francois Roetz 6,5 per cent is a reasonable offer, however they are prepared to meet with the workers on 24 August.
During this time, they will negotiate a way forward and possibly reach a solution with regard to the pay dispute.
Meanwhile, workers have vowed to intensify the strike should management not table a better offer.
