The Sunday News
JOHANNESBURG — The strike in the sugar industry has ended after a settlement agreement was reached on Friday, the Food and Allied Workers Union (Fawu) said.
A 10 percent increment was secured for the sugar industry’s lowest-paid workers, said Fawu general secretary Katishi Masemola.
“There would be 9 percent increase for the middle band and 8,75 percent for higher band,” he said.
Around 5 500 sugar refining and milling workers, mostly Fawu affiliates, downed tools on 27 May, demanding a wage increase of 11 percent across the board, a 40-hour work week, and an R800 monthly housing subsidy.
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) facilitated talks between the employers and unions on Monday.
“The fact that this dispute was resolved in a mere three days can only be attributed to the commitment of parties to finding a resolution under the guidance of an experienced CCMA senior commissioner,” CCMA director Nerine Kahn said.
Masemola said the agreement was the best the union could get under the circumstances.
Workers were expected back on the job on Monday. — sapa.
