SACTWU to embark on nationwide strike

By Ofentse Mokae
11 September 2009

The Southern African Clothing & Textile Workers' Union (SACTWU) has formally issued notice to employers in the clothing trade that strike action will commence next week Tuesday.

The union says it has over the last three weeks consulted its members in the clothing industry over whether they want to strike for better wages, and the response was an overwhelming yes.

It says employers are offering a wage increase of about 5 per cent, but workers are demanding 7.9 per cent.

“Clothing employers are offering a wage increase ranging between R19 to R32 per week.
This equates to a 5% wage increase offer. The trade union is demanding a 7.9% wage increase,” said secretary general Andre Kriel.

Kriel says the purpose of the industrial action is to induce the employer parties to agree to the trade union's final substantive demands.

He says the results of the three week strike ballot showed 92% have voted in favour of industrial action.

“Of the 46 627 workers who have thus far cast their ballot, a total of 42 751, 92% have voted in favour of industrial action, 3 426 , 7% have voted against industrial action and there were 450 , 1% spoilt votes,” he added.

He says they have advised the employers that the industrial action will take the form of a full withdrawal of work and/or a partial withdrawal of work and/or a retardation of work and/or intermittent strikes.