Shoprite & Checkers still open for business, despite strike
The South Africa Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) gave Shoprite Checkers a 48 hours formal notice of a limited duration countrywide strike.
POLOKWANE – According to Philip van der Merwe, Shoprite Checkers Property Division Manager, the public are advised that the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) has provided Shoprite Checkers with 48-hour formal notice of a limited duration country-wide protected strike.
The strike action will commence at 5am on Wednesday 28 March and will continue until 5am Friday 30 March.
Stores will however still be open and members of the union that are on strike are only allowed to do so outside the stores.
According to Sumarie de Ridder, general manager at Mall of The North, shoppers needn’t be discouraged seeing as it is only a stay-away strike and preventative measures have already been put in place. “Temporary workers are already on duty and we have all necessary security on que, should there be any incidents it will be handled swiftly and without any disturbance.”
“At this stage it is difficult to determine the extent of the strike and what impact it will have on the effective trading at our stores. However, Shoprite Checkers trust that the Union and its members will at all times abide by the relevant picketing rules, however lessors and/ or owners of the property are advised to take all necessary measures to safeguard their property, staff and customers,” says van der Merwe.
He explains that Shoprite Checkers and Usave are committed to exploring an amicable solution to this situation and that hopefully the strike as planned will indeed be called off. He does however hold that should there be any changes to the situation they will keep the public updated and provide information thereof as soon as reasonably possible.
In a statement the SACCAWU explained a number of issues that the company failed to accommodate their workers on, hence the reason for the picketing strike.
These include the company’s unilateral change to working conditions, related to the provisioning of safe and reliable transport for late night and early morning shifts that should be arranged and paid for by the company. Reinstatement of the 23 dismissed Checkers Sandton workers, for protesting against unilateral changes to their working hours.
Guaranteed minimum working hours for part-time workers below five years of service as well as conversion of all part-time workers with five or more years of service to full-time permanent employment.
