Checkers workers join national strike

Video

KNYSNA NEWS & VIDEO - Over 50 Checkers employees are peacefully picketing outside the supermarket chanting liberation songs, which has resulted in the entrance of the Checkers centre and some of the shops closing earlier today, 28 March.

The strike is part of a national strike after talks between the retail group’s management and the SA Commercial‚ Catering and Allied Workers Union were unsuccessful on a number of points.

Some of their demands include guaranteed minimum working hours for part-time workers, conversion of part-time workers with five or more years of service to full-time permanent employment and the provision of safe and reliable transport for early and late-shift workers.

One of the employees, who wishes to remain anonymous, says, “Some of our colleagues have been working for the company for over 12 years and they are still casuals. Today we’re fighting for them, we’re fighting for part-time employees to at least work a minimum of 40 hours a week. We cannot go on like this.”

Watch a video below:

The employees have permission from the municipality to picket for two days and will be outside the shop again tomorrow.

Saccawu official Elliot Gubula confirmed that the union met with the company last week. “The company is still refusing to give in to our demands. This two-day picket is to fight for employees called part-timers to be made permanent, we’re fighting for guaranteed hours and improvement in working conditions for all the company’s employees.”