ABI, Union blaming each other for violence

2010/01/21

The Food and Allied Workers' Union (Fawu) and cool drinks manufacturer ABI blamed each other for continued acts of violence during the prolonged wage negotiation protest by workers.

In separate statements on Thursday, the two parties accused one another of acts of violence and intimidation against both striking workers and workers holding the fort. "Can ABI deny that its employees kidnapped a striking worker (Mr Bonginkosi Manana) at Midrand and assaulted him on Saturday and he opened a criminal case," said union general secretary Katishi Masemola.

"We suspect he was assaulted by security guards enlisted by ABI to guard the plants," he said. But in its statement, Amalgamated Beverage Industries said non striking workers continue to be intimidated and assaulted by Fawu members despite the union's undertaking that its members will not commit acts of violence.

The company alleged that a delivery truck was stoned in KwaZulu-Natal and five Midrand employees assaulted and intimidated. There was also a bomb threat at an ABI employee's house in Tembisa on Wednesday while three other employees were "beaten up... one so severely that he is still in hospital" at the weekend.

Another worker had his car burnt at his home, the company also claimed. "We have been appalled at the continued violence which has been evident throughout this strike. We again call on the union to intervene and ensure that its members and supporters refrain from violence and intimidation," said ABI managing director John Ustas.

In response, Masemola said the company should advance evidence before making accusations against the union and its members. "It doesn't help saying employees are being intimidated and attacked... they must go to police and bring evidence," he said. He also disputed ABI's statement that 60 percent of workers around the country had returned to work, saying instead that the union was intensifying its strike action. "They are talking rubbish. Last week they said 40 percent of workers were back at work... I'm telling you, they are talking a lot of nonsense. They must tell you how many workers are in each site because that will be very interesting to know.

"We are intensifying the strike action and have already called for the boycott of Coca-Cola products during the 2010 Soccer World Cup," said Masemola. In its statement, ABI reiterated its "commitment to engaging with Fawu to find a way forward". "ABI is offering an across the board wage increase of 7.8 percent, and a wage and benefits increase of 8.3 percent while Fawu is asking for a 9.5 percent wage increase.

"ABI's wage and benefits offer compares favourably with packages offered by other companies in the industry, and is two percentage points above the current inflation rate of 5.8 percent. ABI is already one of the highest paying employees in the country, and the wage offer will bring the minimum wage for unskilled workers to R7,235 a month," the company said.

During the latest round of talks under the auspices of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, the union said it was willing to drop its demand to 8.5 percent but the company would not agree to this. ABI is the soft drinks division of SAB Miller. (Source : Sapa)