'Woolies strike successful' says union

The majority of workers at Woolworths joined the first day of a five-day strike at the retailer, making it "extremely successful", trade union Saccawu said.

"Our reports suggest that between 60 to 80% of workers nationally heeded the call," SA Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union president Amos Mothapo told a media briefing in Braamfontein.

"We have not received any reaction from Woolworths management as yet, but we are convinced that any speculation by management of our supposed 'lack of support' would be soon dispelled," he said.

Saccawu has asked for Woolworths to recognise it, access to company premises so its officials could engage in union activities and for stop orders to deduct union dues from its members.

Saccawu said 5460 young Woolworths employees had applied to join the union.

Mothapo said the dispute between Saccawu and Woolworths went back almost 10 years, when the retailer's management decided to terminate its relationship with the union.

"Management has been shifting goalposts for far too long concerning the verification of union members... looking at the march today, it is evident that the majority of workers are prepared to join the strike... companies must recognise us, we will do everything in our power to see that we are signed."

The union said that more than 1500 workers had gone on strike at 33 stores in the Northern Region, Polokwane, Pretoria and surrounding areas.

In the Free-State, workers at three stores in Bloemfontein were on strike and at one store in Welkom.

In KwaZulu-Natal up to 70% of staff went on strike in Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Pinetown and Shelly Beach.

In the Western Cape more than 60 percent of workers went on strike, in the Eastern Cape, more than 70 percent of staff took part.

Pickets were planned in Klerksdorp and Vereeniging on Thursday.

Woolworths chief operating officer Zyda Rylands said the strike had not affected business and stores had remained open.

"We also cannot comment on the number of Woolworths staff on strike, because of their different shift times."

Source: Sapa

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