It is estimated that 18 000 retail workers from Massmart owned stores have begun an indefinite strike, ahead of Black Friday.
The workers, represented by South African Commercial Catering And Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU), are striking at Game, Makro, Builders Warehouse and Jumbo Wholesalers around the country.
Crosby Booi, regional secretary of SACCAWU in the Western Cape says Massmart is using dirty tactics to discourage workers from participating in the strike. He is calling on other workers in the union to join the strike.
He explained that SACCAWU is a mandate driven organization. After receiving complaints from their members, a decision was taken to embark on the strike.
He says that workers hours are being reduced which in turn leads to them earning less money. Booi says Massmart is undermining the collective bargaining agreement that was made in the past.
Booi adds that a dispute around wages at Mass build, which includes builders warehouse stores, is also part of the strike. He explains that the union wants a R500 increase in the salaries of workers while the company is offering R320 per month or 4.1% (whichever is higher).
At the end of August 2021, Massmart reported a profit of R444.2 million which represented a 266.6% year-on-year increase. SACCAWU deputy general secretary Mduduzi Mbongwe earlier this week said it's only right that the workers share in the profits reported by the company.
Despite the strike action taking place around the country, stores will continue trading. This as Massmart have introduced a number of contingency plans including having temporary workers ensure operations remain the same.
Brian Leroni, Massmart Senior Vice President for group corporate affairs says the participation of SACCAWU members in the strike has been low. He estimates that only between 21% and 23% of the workers have supported the strike action. This along with the employment of contract staff has seen business run ahead without any major disruptions.
Leroni adds that Makro workers are striking for benefits that would only be applicable to 170 staff. These benefits include higher cellphone and car allowances. In terms of the strike action taking place at Game stores, he says they want people reinstated in positions that no longer exist. He adds that these workers would be offered similar positions at other stores within the group.
Leroni says the ‘Black Friday’ or ‘Black November’ sales won’t be impacted by the strike but added that the group is open to negotiations with the trade union.
