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Johannesburg - Several large retailers have failed to agree to the establishment of a national sectoral bargaining forum for the retail sector, a trade union said on Wednesday.
A meeting held under the auspices of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) earlier this week failed to resolve the impasse on the issue, the SA Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers' Union (Saccawu) said in a statement.
The union wanted the forum to address developmental problems in the sector. The union's demand was also premised on the need to fulfil the objectives of the Labour Relations Act, which included encouraging collective bargaining.
Saccawu believed a proposed bargaining forum should:
- negotiate and conclude collective agreements covering wages and other conditions of employment;
- develop proposals for submission to the National Economic Development and Labour Council on any policy and/or legislation that may impact on the sector; and
- establish and administer schemes that addressed the plight of workers within the sector, for example HIV/Aids.
Respondents in the dispute included Pick n Pay, Makro, Massdiscounters, Jumbo Cash and Carry, Builders Warehouse, Ellerines, JD Group, Lewis, Woolworths, Shoprite Checkers, PEP Stores, Ackermans, New Clicks, Foschini, Edcon, Spar and Truworths.
"The union has patiently explained its proposal through a series of meetings dating back to the October 14 2009, but employers have not only rejected the proposal but have been trying to frustrate the process through various tricks," Saccawu claimed.
It was now mobilising more than 120 000 members for protected industrial action and would disclose details in due course.
Saccawu alleged the dispute arose in the context of "unprecedented attacks" on working conditions in the sector.
"Such attacks include, but are not limited to, unilateral restructuring and attempts to impose unreasonably low increases on workers, whilst the sector is characterised by vast income inequalities between the lowest paid employee and senior management."
In response to a request for comment from Sapa, Woolworths said it was currently reviewing the content of Saccawu's statement.
Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Massmart and Clicks could not comment immediately.
A meeting held under the auspices of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) earlier this week failed to resolve the impasse on the issue, the SA Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers' Union (Saccawu) said in a statement.
The union wanted the forum to address developmental problems in the sector. The union's demand was also premised on the need to fulfil the objectives of the Labour Relations Act, which included encouraging collective bargaining.
Saccawu believed a proposed bargaining forum should:
- negotiate and conclude collective agreements covering wages and other conditions of employment;
- develop proposals for submission to the National Economic Development and Labour Council on any policy and/or legislation that may impact on the sector; and
- establish and administer schemes that addressed the plight of workers within the sector, for example HIV/Aids.
Respondents in the dispute included Pick n Pay, Makro, Massdiscounters, Jumbo Cash and Carry, Builders Warehouse, Ellerines, JD Group, Lewis, Woolworths, Shoprite Checkers, PEP Stores, Ackermans, New Clicks, Foschini, Edcon, Spar and Truworths.
"The union has patiently explained its proposal through a series of meetings dating back to the October 14 2009, but employers have not only rejected the proposal but have been trying to frustrate the process through various tricks," Saccawu claimed.
It was now mobilising more than 120 000 members for protected industrial action and would disclose details in due course.
Saccawu alleged the dispute arose in the context of "unprecedented attacks" on working conditions in the sector.
"Such attacks include, but are not limited to, unilateral restructuring and attempts to impose unreasonably low increases on workers, whilst the sector is characterised by vast income inequalities between the lowest paid employee and senior management."
In response to a request for comment from Sapa, Woolworths said it was currently reviewing the content of Saccawu's statement.
Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Massmart and Clicks could not comment immediately.
