The three-week strike at Premier FMCG ‘s confectionery plant, Mister Sweet, is set to continue after the Johannesburg Labour Court shot downs its attempt to interdict and halt the strike.
Employees at Premier’s Wadeville confectionery operations embarked on a protected strike last month due to a wage dispute as they demand a living wage of R19 500 from the current R6 000 per month for the lowest paid workers.
In a statement on Wednesday, Simunye Workers Forum union said it had defeated Mister Sweet's attempts to bring an interdict against the crippling strike at its factory in Johannesburg, which began on August 19.
The Johannesburg Labour Court Judge J Daniels had ruled on Tuesday that the employer was unable to show any link between the alleged violence they complained of and the strikers. Therefore, the company was not entitled to interdict the strike or the strikers and the application was dismissed with no order as to costs.
Judge Daniels also acknowledged that the strike was a lawful and protected strike.
The union said since the strike began, Mister Sweet had shifted production to Manhattan, another sweet company owned by Premier FMCG.
It voiced concern for the increased workload for the workers at Manhattan.
Premier previously told Business Report that the business continued to operate with the balance of skilled employees supplemented by temporary staff.
The company said that it has, and will continue to engage with employees to resolve matters and ensure a safe working environment for all while ensuring business continuity.
Premier also said the majority union at the Wadeville confectionery site was UCIMESHAWU, but the union lost approximately 13% of its membership in the first quarter of the year.
BUSINESS REPORT