The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) Affiliate, the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU), is set to hold a press conference on Monday, 11 May, to inform media on its pushback against the looming retrenchment of 22 000 workers at Pick n Pay.
SACCAWU was angered to read articles in the media that it was negotiating new employment terms for its members at Pick n Pay, when nothing of the sort was true. According to SACCAWU, CEO Sean Summers told the media about the Section 189 before notice was even served on the union. More maddening, Pick n Pay attempted to bypass the process by serving the Section 189 directly to workers and not to the union, the collective bargaining agent for workers at the company.
At the centre of the quarrel is Pick n Pay’s bid to nullify benefits workers have won over the years. SACCAWU believes the retailer wants to use the Section 189 to coerce it into agreeing to take away transport provided to workers whose shifts end after normal public transport schedules, withdraw subsidised meals offered to workers, cancel all legacy agreements with SACCAWU, withdraw the Sunday premium for full time workers, and scrap the 13th cheque paid to workers.
SACCAWU also believes Pick n Pay is determined to reduce the current guaranteed working hours for full-time workers from 196 to 130 by converting them to Variable Time employees, without benefits.
SACCAWU has been very clear that although it is willing to engage the retailer on its proposals, it will not allow it to run roughshod over terms and conditions of employment negotiated over many years. COSATU stands 100% in solidarity with its Affiliate, SACCAWU, and is ready to support it in every way possible.
Details of the press conference are as follows:
Date: 11 May 2026
Time: 10am
Venue: 11 Leys Street, Braamfontein
All media houses are invited to attend and cover the press conference.
Issued by COSATU
Zanele Sabela (COSATU Spokesperson)
Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639
Email: zaneles@cosatu.org.za
OR
Sithembele Tshwete (SACCAWU Spokesperson)
Mobile: 082 336 5363 / 073 956 3108