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Parmalat workers strike

Johannesburg - Over 450 employees of Parmalat SA (PSA) are on a protected wage-related strike, the Food and Allied Workers' Union (Fawu) said on Wednesday.

The strikers, all affiliated to Fawu, wanted a wage increase of nine percent while the dairy producer offered seven, union spokeswoman Dominique Swartz said.

"Our members, who make out the majority of total employees, say that operations at plants in the Western Cape (Bonnievale and Stellenbosch) Johannesburg (Centurion and Kyalami), and the Eastern Cape (East London and Port Elizabeth) are at a standstill," said Swartz.

"Few members at various small distribution centres like Polokwane and Nelspruit are not on strike."

PSA spokesman Chris Vermeulen said the two parties had reached a deadlock following a conciliation process undertaken through the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration.

"[We] view the offer as very reasonable given the current economic conditions," said Vermeulen.

The seven percent increase was put into effect for non-union employees from May 1.

Parmalat was issued with a 48-hour notice and the strike began in the early hours of Tuesday.

"In response to this strike notice, PSA has informed Fawu that we have no option but to implement a lock-out of all Fawu bargaining unit members," said Vermeulen.

Any Fawu member who wanted to report for work could approach the company.

Plans had been put in place to ensure that consumers and customers would not be affected by the strike, said Vermeulen.


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