Johannesburg - The seven-week strike at Sun International [JSE:SUI] was "worth it", even though strikers received no pay over the Christmas period, the SA Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers' Union (Saccawu) said on Wednesday.
"For them it was not an issue of increases only," said Saccawu president Amos Mothapo.
"No, they are satisfied. The strike was not related to just an across-the-board figure only. There were certain principles that have been achieved. If you are fighting for a principle, those are the consequences."
Mothapo, who received his salary as a union official, said arrangements had been made with certain credit providers while the strike was on to suspend payments for that period and the union would monitor whether particular members or families needed help with food.
The estimated 4 500 workers started returning to their posts on Tuesday and everyone had to be in place by Thursday.
The dispute was settled last Friday.
"While the striking workers did not see all their demands met, the significance of the victory should not be underestimated," Saccawu spokesperson Mike Abrahams said on Tuesday.
Under the two-year agreement, the minimum wage increases from R66 479 to R72 295 per year, backdated to July 2009, with an across-the-board increase of 8.75% also effective from July 1, 2009 and an increase of the greater of the consumer price index (CPI) plus 1.75% or 7.75% from July 2010.
Shift allowances increase to R3 an hour from July 1 2009, and the home ownership subsidy scheme limit increases from R100 000 to R135 000 with a subsidy of 30% now available to employees with between two and five years' service, who were previously excluded.
Educational assistance also increases from R5 000 to R8 000.
Housekeeping supervisors would also benefit from the increases.
The issues of averaging of hours of work and scheduling of permanent staff and other unresolved matters would be explored in future talks.
- Sapa