Johannesburg – Members of the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) at RCL Foods in Limpopo are continuing their strike to press for wage increases.
Union president Mametlwe Sebei on Thursday said union members in Tzaneen, Louis Trichardt, and Thohoyandou downed tools in a push for a R600 pay hike.
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Sebei said union representatives were to meet with the company today, Thursday, to discuss a way forward regarding the strike.
The company consulted its stakeholders following the meeting with the union on Tuesday.
“The union pressed on its demands for better wage increases, however, the parties could not find each other based on the current mandate of the management,” said Sebei.
“We remain firm in our demands and determination to continue the strike.”
Sebei said the union was optimistic that the management would come up with an improved and more reasonable offer that could take the negotiations forward.
Meanhwile, the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) insisted that RCL Foods could afford the R600 wage demand and it supported striking workers.
“SAFTU calls on RCL workers to unite across all divisions of RCL Foods to fight for a wage increase until management accedes to the demands,” General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said in a statement.
“GIWUSA and its members are justified to demand the R600 increase based on two factors: the rising cost of living and the total earnings of the company in the previous financial year.”
He said the cost of basic necessities has risen significantly.
“The latest Household Affordability Index by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity research group indicates that the average household food basket costs R5 324.86 per month.
“Transport to and from work, excluding fare to school for children, costs R1 760, and a 350 KWh costs R906.
“In addition to the current rate of consumer prices, inflation is projected to average 4,7 percent over the Medium-Term.”
Vavi said in the last financial year, ending June 2023, RCL Foods recorded R539 million in profits and paid R268 million to shareholders in dividends.
“The negotiations for these wages are based on claiming past earnings i.e. the past surplus value created by the labour power of our workers,” Vavi explained.
“From their annual report, it is clear that RCL Foods ma de profits that enable it to afford the current wage demand.”
