SHOPRITE STRIKE

Thabazimbi – Shoprite Checkers employees embarked on a legal, nationwide strike on Wednesday, 28 March, to protest working conditions by picketing outside stores.   

The South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (Saccawu) issued a statement that said there were a number of issues that the company failed to accommodate their workers with. They include: the company’s unilateral change to working conditions, the provision of safe and reliable transport of late night and early morning shifts, and minimum wages. 

Dorcas Matshaba, a cash office clerk at Thabazimbi’s Shoprite told the Platinum Bushvelder: “I gave Shoprite 11 years of loyal service; however, I remain a casual worker and only get paid R350 per week.” Malebo Kgowe, daily assistant at Thabazimbi’s Shoprite, added: “We are treated very poorly and we don’t have transport for late shifts. We are not valued employees.” 

Thabazimbi Shoprite management declined an opportunity to tell their side of the story to the Platinum Bushvelder.