Johannesburg -
The
Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has come out in
support of the SA Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers' Union (Saccawu)
in its wage dispute with pharmacy group Dis-Chem.
"We have noted how workers continue to be brutalised and arrested
on the basis of pure labour disputes," Popcru said in a statement
on Wednesday.
Popcru said the country's constitution provided for freedom of association
and organisational rights.
It supported Saccawu's demands for a R3 500 minimum wage for Dis-Chem
workers, plus a 15% across-the-board increase.
Popcru also believed that casual workers at Dis-Chem should become
part of the group's permanent staff after three months of service.
A 13th cheque should be guaranteed as well as parental rights, medical
aid, housing subsidies and long service awards, Popcru said.
Two thousand Saccawu members employed at Dis-Chem have been on strike
for over a month.
Last week a burning gas canister was thrown into an Olympus Dis-Chem
store in Faerie Glen in Pretoria, and the store has been closed
for repairs.
Three Dis-Chem workers have been arrested for malicious damage to
property.
Dis-Chem human resources manager Johan Ochse was not available for comment.
- Sapa