Striking cleaners gather in Joburg

2011-08-12 11:25

Johannesburg - Striking contract cleaning sector workers will gather in Johannesburg on Friday, to be briefed about an ongoing wage dispute with management, the SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu) said.

Workers would gather at Beyers Naude Square from 10:00, Satawu provincial secretary Chris Nkosi said.

"It will just be a briefing to inform them on what's happening with the strike."

The number of workers expected to gather was not known, but Johannesburg Metro Police spokesperson Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said police would monitor the situation.

Satawu workers went on strike on Monday with their colleagues from the National Security and Unqualified Workers' Union, the SA Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers' Union, the National Union of Hotel Restaurant Catering, Commercial Health and Allied Workers, the SA Cleaners, Security and Allied Workers' Union, and the Democratic Union of Security Workers.

Satawu is leading negotiations on their behalf. The unions represent about 75 000 workers in the sector.

The Hotel, Liquor, Catering Commercial and Allied Workers' Union of SA and the Professional Transport and Allied Workers' Union of SA went on strike last Monday.

All nine unions wanted the salaries of workers earning less than R2 400 a month increased to R4 200 a month. They have demanded a 10% increase for those earning above R4 200.

In addition they wanted a yearly 13th cheque, an eight-hour working day, and for members in rural areas to be paid the same as their urban colleagues.

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration entered negotiations in July, when a dispute was declared.

- SAPA