E-Malt.com News article: South Africa: SABMiller workers strike continues but beer supplies are not expected to be affected by it

The Food and Allied Workers Union says more SA Breweries (SAB) workers will join its nationwide strike if a wage agreement is not reached soon, The Post reported on October 4.

The union is asking for a 9 percent increase, whereas SAB is offering 7 percent.

The strike entered its fifth day on October 4.

Fawu general secretary Katishi Masemola said workers from Durban as well as those in the SAB soft drink division would be asked to join the strike. They were also considering asking SABMiller employees around the world to join in.

“SAB claims it is offering a guaranteed 7 percent increase, but that is not the case. The offer is a 4.2 percent across the board and another 2.8 percent for performance merit.

“We’ll know soon whether the Durban branch will be joining the strike and we would also look into asking SABMiller workers across the world to join.”

SAB spokeswoman Robyn Chalmers said the strike would not cause a shortage of beer.

“We have a full contingency plan to ensure that we have the people and infrastructure in place to keep our operations as normal as possible for the duration of the strike.

“A strike is always a challenging situation, but we are confident of the robust nature of our plan and that our operations will be able to withstand the impact of the strike.

“As such, we do not anticipate beer shortages.”

Chalmers said a minority of workers were on strike.

“SAB has offered workers a 7 percent average wage increase which will increase the average monthly pay for shift workers by R1 196 to R18 283.

“The wage offer was made after three months of intense negotiation and there are currently no negotiations under way or planned, as SAB is awaiting response from Fawu on its final offer.”


04 October, 2013