Johannesburg, 1 October 2013: (#SABStrike) The South African Breweries’ (SAB) has offered workers a 7% average wage increase which will increase the average monthly pay for shift workers by R1 196 to R18 283.
This comes as members of the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) embarked on strike action at some SAB sites on Monday.
SAB Human Resources Director Yokesh Maharaj said that after three months of intense negotiation, the company offered an average wage increase of 7% including performance related pay in an attempt to avoid a strike.
The 7% increase for the average shift worker of R1 196 to R18 283 compares favourably with other sectors. The average remuneration across all sectors is R4 773 and the average bargaining unit salary in the FMCG sector is R9 600.
Maharaj said that as a result, SAB believes that a 7% increase is highly competitive – it is above inflation and comes off a high base. “SAB is one of the highest paying employers in South Africa across all sectors, and one of the highest in the brewing industry worldwide, ” he said.
SAB is concerned that one of the main reasons behind the strike is FAWU’s wish to undermine performance related pay. SAB is one of the world leaders in the brewing industry because it has placed a high level of importance on performance and world class manufacturing standards. This has enabled the company to pay comparatively high wages.
As the strike enters its second day, SAB has contingency plans in place to minimise any disruption to its service and the company has implemented a security plan to protect its people and its assets.
SAB has a strong and enduring relationship with FAWU and remains committed to continued engagement with the union through normal channels in an effort to resolve the dispute in the most amicable manner possible and without delay.
For further information, please contact:
Robyn Chalmers
Head of Media and Communications, SAB
Tel: 011 881 8679
Email: robyn.chalmers@za.
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