Farmers relieved after mill strike ends

THE sugar industry workers have ended their two week strike following an agreement on Friday.

Protracted negotiations continued most of Friday with stakeholders announcing that an agreement had been reached.

This will be a relief to sugar farmers who have had a bad start to the season.

Interruptions to mill operations, due to public holidays and breakdowns at the Amatikhulu Mill, have meant the sugar harvesting season has not flowed during the first two months.

Although the millers have said there was still plenty of time to catch up the next few months, farmers have had to bear the brunt of the delays.

Those caught off-guard regarding the strike may have lost R1.4-million due burnt cane lying in loading zones and not being delivered.

It was estimated there was at least 4 000 tons of cane waiting to be transported to the mills and this had to happen within a week of harvesting.

More cane could have been lost as the province enters the fire season and cane burnt through arson, or other causes, cannot be harvested and sent to the mills.

Back to work today

More than 5 500 Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) and strikers downed tools on Monday, 26 May demanding a pay rise of 11 percent and a 40-hour working week without loss of pay.

They also demanded an R800 housing allowance and wanted contract workers be appointed permanently.

According to FRAU General Secretary, Katishi Masemola, employers have agreed to raise the salaries of the lowest-earning employees by 10 percent, while the middle and higher band of earners will receive increases of nine percent and 8.75 percent respectively.

Strikers are expected back at work from today (Monday).

It is not clear how many of these demands were met as details of the agreement have not been released.

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration led the negotiations under section 150 of the Labour Relations Act, which allows the mediator to intervene in a dispute of public interest.