Massmart workers threaten to strike over pay

Workers at the group's Makro, Game and Dion division are engaged in meetings and discussions to plan for the industrial action.

“Yes we are planning for go on a protected industrial action,” said Saccawu's national negotiations co-ordinator, Khulekani Ngubane.

The group's 28000 workers were demanding an increase of R460 across the board per month, or 8.5%, whichever was greater, the union said.

“The company is refusing to give us such a lousy increase,” said Ngubane.

The average wage for a permanent Makro employee is R4797 while Mass Discounters, comprising both Dion and Game, is paying an average of R4169, according to the union.

It said the workers were also demanding improved job security and medical insurance.

The union said that it wanted to put an end to, or at least minimise, the use of labour brokers and the exploitation of workers, as well as negotiate for nondiscriminatory medical-aid contributions.

But the negotiations between the union and the relevant bargaining units had reached a deadlock because the bargaining units could not agree on a percentage increase, only a flat increase across the board, Ngubane said.

The union said it had been engaging with the company since last year and that there had not been any resolution of the disputes.

Ngubane said the company had forced employees to join the company's initiated medical aid, which they felt was unfair.

“There is a high level of discrimination on the benefits in the medical aid they are providing,” said Ngubane.

He said the only thing that could stop the workers from going on a strike was if the company agreed to come to the table, but it should ensure that it had the intention of meeting the demands of the workers.

However, Brian Leroni, the group's corporate affairs executive, said the group was waiting for the union to come back to it regarding dates for Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) hearings to hear the arguments concerning Game and Dion employees.

Leroni said Mass Discounters had separate wage bargaining units and there was not one central negotiation process.

“Makro and Mass Discounters (Game and Dion) have their own bargaining units and both have reached different stages in their negotiations,” he said.

“Game and Saccawu have deadlocked and the next logical step would be the CCMA, and we have identified July 21-24 as dates for the hearings, but they haven't come back to us. However, Makro has gone to the CCMA and a certificate to strike has been issue to the union.”

Leroni said the company believed the R460 pay increase across the board on average was equivalent to an 8.5% increase.

Makro has offered to increase wages by R460, while Game and Dion have offered R300.

Leroni said the union would still have to notify the company 48 hours before it embarked on the strike, and it had not done so yet.

Source: Business Day

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