Share

Union: Sun strike 'worth it'

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

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.88
+0.3%
Rand - Pound
23.82
+0.4%
Rand - Euro
20.38
+0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.30
+0.3%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.3%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders