Satawu declares pay strike with Freshmark

Johannesburg - Satawu has declared an indefinite strike against the Shoprite-Checkers-owned trucking company Freshmark, the union said on Tuesday.

"The dispute is about wage increases and the refusal of the employer to return to the centralised bargaining process," the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) said in a statement.

"Currently the employer offers a ridiculous 8.5% that they have imposed to the Checkers employees. Satawu flatly refuses Freshmark's offer and demands a 15% increase on the table and that they must be part of the centralised bargaining process."

It said Freshmark had to stop dividing workers by providing non-unionised workers with a double-digit offer.

"Our members are currently picketing at Freshmark depots in Centurion, Durban and Cape Town."

Shoprite's communication office requested questions on the matter, but had not replied by Tuesday evening.