Union tells Woolies to watch out

The warning came as thousand of the retailer's staff took to the streets to demand that Woolworths stop bashing the unions.

The march followed a deadlock in mediation at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) last week over the retailer's refusal to recognise unions as a collective bargaining agent and for unilaterally opting for a one-on-one approach to deal with worker issues.

Saccawu president Amos Mothapo said this had led to the permanent casualisation of workers. He said the march was only the beginning of more serious actions if management did not listen to their demands.

Marco Vazzoli accepted a memorandum and promised to respond within 24-hours.

Chief operating officer Zyda Rylands said the company had under 15% union representation.

Source: Sowetan

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