News

In the latest development of collusion between mall managers, Pick 'n Pay store managers and SAPS, all the workers on the picket-line at Klerksdorp has been arrested for singing and shouting slogans on the picket-line. This is another instance demonstrating the extent to which Pick 'n Pay will go to try and break the strike.



Since the week-end, three workers were shot, one in a drive-by shooting on workers on the picket-line and the other two by mall security. In both instances charges has been laid with the SAPS. A further sixty-two workers were arrested on Saturday and today all the striking workers in Klerksdorp were arrested.



SACCAWU is taking this very serious, especially the apparent collusion between members of SAPS, local store managers, private security and local mall mangers. SACCAWU have already wrote to the Minister of Police to address this problem of SAPS members interfering in industrial disputes and will seek a meeting with the Ministry to

address this.



At the same time we want to reiterate that the hostile attitude by management has more to do to weakening the Union in their attempt to restructure the Company to prepare for the likely entry of Walmart into South Africa. It is apparent that the Company believe, for them to be able to stand a chance to compete with Walmart they have to drive down wages and weaken the Union.



However, SACCAWU will not sacrifice workers rights and workers legitimate demands at the table of Walmartisation. SACCAWU striking workers remain United and determined to fight for their demands, of wage increases, increased working hours for part-time workers, and a staff discount on basic food stuff.



Workers were supposed to receive their increases at the beginning of March and now seven months later the workers are still waiting. We are conscious that the Company has made noise about willingness to meet and resolve the dispute, however no such approaches has been made to the Union and all correspondence from the Company since the beginning of the strike with regards to resolving the strike has reiterated their position that gave rise to the strike in the first

place.



In the meantime SACCAWU will intensify the strike and solidarity including mobilising for a Consumer Boycott of Pick 'n Pay. SACCAWU also welcome and wish to thank all the organisations nationally and internationally that have sent messages of Solidarity, actively supporting the Strike and canvassing for a Consumer Boycott.