Sun gets strike interdict

Johannesburg - Sun International obtained an interim interdict prohibiting unlawful conduct during its pay strike at GrandWest Casino, the company said on Wednesday.

The interdict, granted in the Labour Court, prevented intimidation and assault.

A wage dispute was declared on June 10 and on December 2. Fourty-eight hours' strike notice was given for countrywide action.

Chief executive David Coutts-Trotter said the interdict had been applied following "disgraceful" behaviour on the part of the SA Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union (Saccawu) members, who the company believes breached the principles of peaceful picketing.

They alleged that a staffer not taking part in the strike was assaulted.

Coutts-Trotter said that security footage showed that shop stewards were causing much of the unlawful conduct instead of attempting to prevent it.

"Saccawu not resolving the situation reported to them, despite assurances to the contrary, contributed significantly to the problem," said Coutts-Trotter.

"We call on Saccawu to get their leadership to act with restraint."

He said their across the board increase means that from July 1 2009, the new minimum wage would be equal to a total cost of employment of R71 797 per annum.

"Sun International's base rate for bargaining unit employees is already roughly double the average minimum wage in the retail and catering sector of the economy and compares very favourably with other major sectors," he said.

"It will be extremely difficult to sustain the business with wage increases above the current wage offer of 8 percent across-the-board."

Coutts-Trotter said the union's strike notice demanded a 13 percent increase across the board and an increase in the night shift allowance from R2.30 to R7 per hour.

"Given our financial results in the midst of a very serious recession, this is simply unaffordable."

Saccawu could not be reached for comment on Wednesday morning.

- Sapa