ABOUT 70 workers from meat processing factory Classic Processed Products (CPP) in Port Elizabeth went on strike yesterday to push their demand for a R450 or 20% monthly wage increase.
The workers affiliated to the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers' Union (Saccawu) arrived at work in Buick Street in Markman industrial area yesterday as early as 4am to protest.
Saccawu regional organiser Vuyo Nombewu said they had given CPP managing director David Deutschmann notice on Friday that they would go on strike.
Nombewu said Saccawu had proposed R450 or 20% as a monthly increment and had engaged with Deutschmann without any success.
"We have engaged since May in terms of salary reviews and nothing happened. So we went to the CCMA [Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration] in terms of facilitation and nothing came out of that. Then we gave them notice on Friday that we will have a strike."
Nombewu said the matter came back from the CCMA as unresolved on September 5 because the employer offered no increase.
"He says he has no money this year and is offering 0%. We will strike until the employer puts something on the table," Nombewu said.
The company's security company, Impact Loss Control, was at the scene to ensure there was no malicious damage done to property. Impact Loss Control owner Trevor Wilson said yesterday Deutschmann was not willing to talk to the media as the matter was an internal wage negotiation issue and they would only address the workers.
