Union launches boycott campaign against chain

This is seen in the union's latest action as it launched a national consumer boycott against the company.

Thabo Mahlangu, Saccawu national organiser, said: “We are engaging in this consumer boycott because we would like to put more pressure on management. It is quite clear that talking nicely doesn't help much.”

Asked if this strike action would end soon, Mahlangu added: “This strike action will take place until management responds positively to the demands of the workers.”

The union intended to hand over a memorandum at Business Unity South Africa (Busa) offices next week.

Vic van Vuuren, chief operations officer of Busa, said: “We need to get Woolworths input on this matter. Based on the past, Woolworths has always had a sound employment policy of looking, well, after their employees.”

Woolworths chief operating officer Zyda Rylands said the company did not understand why the strike action was still on and that it had had a minimal impact on their operations.

“We hope our customers will continue to support us. We don't see why this strike action is still on because we are willing to engage the union in good faith.”

Asked about the Woolworths employees who denied being permanent, Rylands said: “It seems people don't understand their employment contracts well because all our employees are permanent with benefits irrespective of the hours they work.”

Source: Daily Dispatch

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