ABI gets memorandum from Fawu

An estimated 600 Fawu members were demonstrating at the George Lee Park in Sandton and handed the memorandum to John Ustas, Managing Director at ABI and Norman Adami, Managing Director at SAB.

Ustas commented after receiving the memorandum: "We acknowledge receipt of this memorandum today. We have full confidence in the team that is negotiating the wage and benefits offer on behalf of ABI.

"We believe that our offer is both very fair and reasonable, particularly in light of the economic environment in South Africa, where over a million people have lost their jobs due to the recession.

"The soft drinks business has been affected by the recession along with the rest of the South African market, and ABI has been not escaped the downturn."

Despite high levels of violence and intimidation which have characterised the strike, there has been limited disruption to operations at ABI since the strike began.

The management team of ABI has put in place strong contingency plans to ensure the least amount of disruption to both businesses, with all manufacturing plants running well and deliveries taking place as normal.

It is estimated that only about 45% of unionised Fawu members are currently on strike.

Negotiations between the two parties will resume on Wednesday, 13 January 2010 and will be mediated by the CCMA.

Ustas continued: "We fully recognise that reaching an impasse during negotiations is a legitimate part of the collective bargaining process.

"However, we are deeply concerned about the high level of violence and intimidation that has characterised the strike in recent weeks.

"We appeal to Fawu and our workers to maintain an environment that is free of violence and without intimidation. We ask our employees to return to work to end the unnecessary disruption to their personal lives, as well as to the business."

Despite there being little appetite in beer for a sympathy strike, SAB is monitoring the situation closely.

Fawu's estimate that three breweries in Gauteng were closed down as a result of the members attending the gathering is incorrect.

SAB figures show that about 120 workers in the beer division attended the gathering today, and there was absolutely no impact on our operations. It was business as usual.

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