News

UNI Commerce has expressed its full support for its South African affiliate SACCAWU and has asked Pick 'n Pay to enter into serious talks with the company in order to come to an agreement on wage and hours issues for Variable Time Employees and on the use of labour brokers by the company.



UNI together with SACCAWU has recently reached out to Pick ‘n Pay in order to sign a global agreement similar to that with Shoprite - an agreement that commits company and unions to dialogue and cooperation for the benefit of

all and which ensures decent working conditions for all Pick ‘n Pay employees throughout the company operations.



SACCAWU has called on 27.000 workers in Pick 'n Pay to participate in the nationwide strike which comes after two mediation attempts by the CCMA (Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration) had failed. It was the second time since July that mediation via CCMA failed.



In a press release SACCAWU lists the following reasons for the strike:

• SACCAWU submitted proposals, as mandated by its members, to Pick 'n Pay in December 2009.
• Negotiations were to be concluded within three months with the implementation date being the beginning of March 2010.
• The Company did not respond to SACCAWU proposals for four months.
• Only after SACCAWU declared a dispute in April did the company respond to the Union.
• The Company only tabled its offer during a dispute resolution meeting in May 2010.
• In July the conciliation session under the auspices of the CCMA failed and the Union obtained a certificate to embark on a protected industrial action.
• On 21 – 22 September mediation under the auspices of the CCMA failed to break the deadlock.

SACCAWU's press release, UNI Commerce's letter of solidarity and the letter sent to the company can be viewed below: