People fear for their lives as strike becomes violent
On Monday workers torched some of the mill's property. In a prepared statement, Edward Ferreirinha, owner of Verulam, said they have created about 300 jobs for the past 33 years for people in the area.
Fearing for their lives, workers of Verulam Sawmill have moved out of the mill’s hostel.
This was after Monday’s protest in the area caused a lot of tension. The residents of Sincobile Village woke up to find their streets barricaded with burning tyres and rocks.
Labourers at Verulam have been on strike since July 28 demanding better salaries and benefits.
They want an increment of R10 per hour across the board, a food allowance of R1 000 per month and a sleep-out allowance of R1 000 per month.
On Monday workers torched some of the mill’s property. In a prepared statement, Edward Ferreirinha, owner of Verulam, said they have created about 300 jobs for the past 33 years for people in the area.
“We continue to try and keep our staff’s best interest at heart. During this time we have had a reasonably good relationship with them. This is the first serious altercation we have had due to the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union creating unrealistic expectations that we are unable to meet.
“We have offered them a wage that is above the industry’s minimum wage, which the company can currently afford due to the current market situation where selling prices have been depressed and expenses constantly on the rise,” he said.
Ferreirnha said they had served a court order against the striking workers as they had been breaching the picketing rules.
“This breach of the court order has continued despite our lodging charges of arson where boiler production timber was burnt and working staff intimidated by having their windows at our hostel and at homes smashed during the night.
“The sawmill entrance to the main road has been blocked several times with rocks and burning tyres.
“Petrol bombs were thrown at our Eskom transformer in an attempt to cripple production.
“We have instituted legal action against them for arson, malicious damage to property and intimidation, and they have now been in contempt of court many times over,” he said.
On Monday Ferreirinha said they had attempted to employ casuals for the second time but the strikers reacted by burning down hostel toilets and blockading the main entrance to the sawmill with rocks and burning tyres in an attempt to stop permanent or casual workers from gaining access to the premises.
“About 600 metres of our perimeter concrete wall was demolished. The R38 was also blockaded with rocks and the riot squad was called to the scene. Several shots were fired by them and police made two arrests.
“The strikers want to stop all production through this type of intimidation of permanent staff. We have not yet been able to employ any casuals due to these intimidating actions.
“The situation remains tense and volatile,” he said.
The workers’ representative could not be reached for comment at the time of going to print.
