Staff Reporter
The South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU)’s central region has given leading consumer goods distributor Massmart a week to respond to its demands for improved working conditions for staff.
This after the union declared a dispute challenging Massmart/Walmart unilateral changes to wages and adjusting conditions of employment, threats to jobs security, union bashing and intimidation of workers.
The demands are contained in a memorandum of demands delivered to the employer at Game in Fleurdal, Bloemfontein, on Friday during a march by SACCAWU affiliated workers.
“We demand a response from Massmart within seven days of receipt of this memorandum and forthwith register that a failure or refusal to do so will leave SACCAWU and her members with no alternative but to institute whatever under the circumstances, including but not limited to the intensification of rolling mass action,” read part of the memorandum.
Massmart is the second-largest distributor of consumer goods in Africa and the largest retailer of general merchandise, liquor and home improvement equipment as well as wholesaler of basic foods.
Some of the businesses owned by Massmart in South Africa include Makro, Game Stores, Builders Trade Depot, Builders Superstore, Builders Warehouse, Cambridge Food, Jumbo Superstore, and Masscash.
SACCAWU also wants Massmart to recognise it as a labour union and stop making unilateral decisions without involving the workers.
It also wants the company to restore terms and conditions of employment that existed prior to the unilateral restructuring and downward variations of working hours/conditions of most workers and reverse the transfer of workers under so-called Section 197 transactions which have proved unpopular with the staff.
The labour union also wants Massmart to make a full commitment towards better treatment and full engagement with it.
In an earlier statement SACCAWU regional secretary for the Free State and Northern Cape Jerry Mmoneri claimed the company has been engaging in conducts that undermine job security and destroy staff morale.
“We find actions of the company as being insensitive, unpatriotic and self-serving given the economic challenges the country is facing,” said Mmoneri.
Massmart is expected to respond to the demands and claims in the coming week.