JOHANNESBURG - Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (Sactwu) members in the footwear sector went on strike yesterday, the union said.
“Our trade union commenced a national strike ballot in the footwear manufacturing sector on Monday last week. This secret ballot was completed on Friday and 86percent of our members voted in favour of strike action,” said general secretary Andre Kriel.
Workers are demanding a 9.5percent wage increase against the employer's offer of 6.25percent. Wage increases in the footwear sector were due on July 1.
“We are working jointly with the National Union of Leather and Allied Workers. As at 1pm today, our strike survey showed that close to 10000 footwear workers have embarked on national wage strike action” He said the survey showed that most footwear factories have been shut down.