The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) applauds its affiliate, the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU), for its victory after months of battling the retrenchment of 22 000 workers at Pick n Pay.

Pick n Pay’s withdrawal of the Section 189A process is an historic victory that belongs to the workers and their union, SACCAWU’s efforts.

SACCAWU came out fighting from the onset when the retailer attempted to undermine its rightful status as the workers’ representative and served the Section 189A notice directly to workers without engaging the union. SACCAWU made it abundantly clear that the bid would not pass, and that it would not allow Pick n Pay to use the threat of retrenchment to nullify workers’ benefits won over the decades of collective bargaining.

SACCAWU remained steadfast and fought against attempts to erode guaranteed working hours, schemes to do away with the 13th cheque, Sunday premiums and the withdrawal of transport for late-shift workers.

COSATU and SACCAWU secured the intervention of Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth. During the six-hour marathon meeting attended by COSATU, SACCAWU and Pick n Pay executives, Minister Meth persuaded the employer to withdraw its Section 189A application from the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration and meaningfully engage with SACCAWU. 

However, Pick n Pay was still determined to retrench workers. In July SACCAWU petitioned the Labour Court for an urgent interdict to halt the retrenchments. The union viewed the court’s refusal to grant the interdict as a minor setback and continued to negotiate with the employer. Its efforts culminated in an agreement that saw the employer abandon the retrenchments.

COSATU commends SACCAWU for standing firm against a retrenchment process that would have placed tens of thousands of workers and their families’ livelihoods at risk. Confronted by a staggering unemployment rate of 43.8%, we cannot afford to relegate more workers to the unemployment line.  

SACCAWU’s victory emphasises the importance of collective bargaining, worker solidarity and the role of trade unions. It also serves as a reminder to employers that decisions affecting workers’ livelihoods cannot simply be imposed without meaningful engagement and accountability.

COSATU will continue to support SACCAWU and other affiliates as they defend and advance the rights of workers.

Issued by COSATU

Zanele Sabela (COSATU Spokesperson)

Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639

Email: zaneles@cosatu.org.za