The South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) has approached the Labour Court seeking an urgent order to halt Pick n...
JOHANNESBURG — The South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) has approached the Labour Court seeking an urgent order to halt Pick n Pay’s planned restructuring, arguing that the process could lead to significant job losses.
The union says as many as 22,000 workers could be affected by the restructuring, although Pick n Pay maintains that its objective is to prevent job losses while aligning employee pay and working conditions with industry standards.
SACCAWU argues that the proposed changes to employee benefits and working conditions amount to an attempt to weaken long-standing collective bargaining agreements negotiated with workers.
Advertisement
The union is asking the Labour Court to intervene before the restructuring process proceeds.
Pick n Pay has defended the restructuring, saying it is intended to improve the company’s operations while minimising the impact on employees.
According to the retailer, the proposed changes are aimed at bringing pay structures and employment conditions in line with those prevailing across the retail industry.
SACCAWU, however, says the planned measures could undermine workers’ rights and existing agreements that have been negotiated over many years.
The union’s legal action has received support from the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), which has expressed concern about the possible impact of the restructuring on employment.
COSATU said South Africa is already facing high unemployment levels and warned that further job losses would place additional pressure on workers and their families.
The case comes as businesses across South Africa continue to face economic challenges, prompting some companies to review operating costs and workforce structures.
The Labour Court is expected to consider SACCAWU’s urgent application as the dispute between the union and Pick n Pay continues.
