Wages and working conditions reason for Makro strike
Workers will continue to picket within a demarcated area in close proximity to a Makro store, said SACCAWU.
The South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) has indicated that workers will continue striking at Makro outlets across the country until their disputes are settled.
The national organising campaign bargaining unit head of the union, Khulekani Ngubane, confirmed to Northsider that the workers will continue demonstrating peacefully outside the outlets until their demands are met.
Read initial article here: Makro workers involved in noisy protest
He said the workers are demanding a wage increase and better working conditions. “The protest is still ongoing – we are in dispute with the company and this is a nationwide strike wherever Makro is trading in the country,” he explained.
He added that about 5 700 workers across 20 Makro stores in the country formed part of the strike. This included Makro Strubens Valley on Hendrik Potgieter Road, which saw a large crowd of workers singing and dancing with placards this past weekend.
Ngubane indicated that workers demanded an 8,5 per cent increase or R750, which was not met by management, leading to the strike of which notice was hand-delivered to management beforehand.
Also read: Welties residents hold pieceful protest
He explained that they want a minimum wage of R6 000 instead of the R5 000 current wage, permanent positions and adequate working hours.
The national Cosatu strike also saw Makro workers in out full swing on 27 September. Ngubane said they came out in numbers to support the cause because they also want labour brokers to be banned.
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