Wage strike hits Woolworths distribution centre in Midrand
- Published on 20 Oct 2015
- HR Pulse News Desk
Fin24 reports that over 600 National Union of Food Beverages Wine Spirits and Allied Workers (Nufbwsaw) members continued a week-long strike at a Woolworths distribution centre in Midrand on Monday looking for a "decent salary".
The union's general secretary Nqobile Tshabangau claimed Woolworths was paying R3,000 to R3,600 as a minimum salary, while, according to him, entry level staff working for other retailers earned up to R10,000. Tshabangau said that Nufbwsaw members were demanding that Woolworths should match what competitors were paying.
"Their products are so damn expensive, yet they are paying their workers so little,” he stated. The union embarked on a protected strike last Monday and is demanding a R7,000 minimum wage. Woolworths indicated on Monday that the union was demanding a 110% increase in wages plus additional allowances, with an overall increase (including benefits) of 130%. It also said that its Montague Gardens and Maxmead Distribution Centres had reached an agreement on salary increases through on-site committees, which allowed for a 10% increase.
Source: SA Labour News
