Savemoor shut as workers strike

Last Monday, some employees of Savemoor Food Town Hyper downed tools in protest for their grievances to be heard.

By Tuesday morning, members of the public joined the protest in support of the disgruntled employees.

“A wage increase was on the table before the national lockdown,” says Puseletso Aphane, one of the employees.

She alleges that the workers wanted a 10 per cent increase, but after negotiations the employer agreed to a seven per cent increase.

According to her, the company has since not given workers any increase and claims they were set back by the lockdown.

Savemoor Food Town Hyper stayed open throughout Level 5 of the national lockdown, along with other outlets that sell essential goods.

“They were never affected.

“We worked and served thousands of customers each day.

“In fact, I would say there were more customers than usual because so many other places were closed for business.

“We were still making money.”

Gordon Nhlapo, another employee, says they never received any compensation for working overtime.

“How can they not give us anything for risking our lives?” he asks.

Jabu Mashinini, secretary of the ANC in ward 74, says they support the employees and their grievances.

“This is a legal strike but the employers have already found replacements for these workers.?That is why we are supporting them.

“They are our brothers and sisters.

“We want tolerance between employees and the employers.”

Phumzile Ndlovu, secretary of the EEF in ward 74, says, “Before we are any political parties we are residents.

“We are in defence of the workers and are supporting them.

“It is not fair how they are being treated.”

She believes that the company hired a security company to intimidate the protesters.

“And we won’t tolerate that,” she adds.

According to Mashinini, the best outcome would be for the employer and employees to go back to the table.

“Also to reinstate the 12 suspended staff members and resolve the issue of overtime payments.”

Amos Mnyakeni, acting provincial secretary of the Democratised Transport Logistics and Allies Workers Union, explains they requested to meet with the employer.

“There has been intervention from the president.

“And the employer promised to get back to us with a date and time for the meeting.

“But we are still waiting,” he says.

Jose Correia, chief executive officer of Unitrade Management Services which manages Savemoor Food Town Hyper, says, “At this point, we are trying to get everyone involved to the table for negotiations.

“There is not much that can be said until that happens.”

The supermarket was still closed at the time of publication.

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