Disgruntled Makro workers threaten to down tools on Black Friday

South African consumers are now bracing themselves for a massive shopping spree this coming weekend during the eagerly anticipated Black Friday.

However, BusinessTech Africa has discovered that one of the country’s biggest retailers or wholesale stores, Makro, is facing possible financial losses due to a planned strike by its workers.

This comes after Makro workers have threatened to desert their work station as they are protesting over wages.

Media reports coming through to this website are that an immediate strike is looming over Massmart and its Makro stores, with staffers already threatening to dump their posts at till points on Black Friday.

Following several months of wage negotiations through the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), Massmart and Makro employees under the South African Catering, Commercial and Allied Workers Union (Saccawu) are expected to protest and converge at Makro stores nationwide.

EWN posted that Saccawu announced that the purpose of the two-day strike or picket, which falls on one of the most popular and profitable shopping days of the year, is to exert pressure on the retailer to respond and agree to their demands over wages and working conditions.

“Saccawu union officials at Makro have indicated privately that they know the company can’t afford a 12% increase. This is perhaps best supported by the fact that Saccawu recently settled for a 4.5% increase at our Builder’s and Game stores,” said the senior vice president at Massmart, Brian Leroni, adding that the union’s demands were unfair.

It is mentioned that the trade union is looking for a 12% salary increase across the board, an increase in sales commissions from 10% to 20% plus a R100 uniform allowance.

Additionally, on behalf of its members, Saccawu also wants a 13th cheque in December for all employees at Makro.

While the rest of the retail sector prepares for the biggest single sales day in its calendar, warehouse and retail giant Massmart may have its hands full on Black Friday should Saccawu forge ahead with its planned strike action in this coming weekend’s Black Friday.

In its response, the retail company said it has contingency plans already put in place to ensure the operation of its stores – and this threat comes after the union organised nationwide demonstrations during the same period in 2021.