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Johannesburg - Retail group Pick n Pay said on Thursday it will make use of external labour to keep stores open as some of its workers prepare to strike on Friday.
The South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (Saccawu) said on Thursday it expected over 20 000 of its members to participate in the strike.
Saccawu has accused the supermarket group of racial practices at the expense of black employees, but Pick n Pay management denied this.
"After a lengthy process of negotiations to address the problems of racism at the workplace and a failure on the side of the company to respond satisfactorily, workers obtained a certificate to embark on protected industrial action," Saccawu said in a statement.
"We expect more than 20 000 of our members nationwide to join the protest action with up to 10 000 expected to participate in the Johannesburg protest."
It added that protest marches will take place in all major centres in the country, except for Cape Town where police permission was refused. The Cape Town march is to take place on December 18.
"We have put the necessary contingency measures in place to ensure minimum disruption," said Pick n Pay spokesperson Tamra Veley. "Stores will operate as usual and we will make use of external labour if necessary, as well as head office personnel."
- Fin24.com
