A socialist and social media call to #BoycottRobertson Winery has flooded social media, when news that the negotiations with the Winery and CSAAWU final demand for a 57% average wage increase,” was I’ll received. Disgruntled workers to to the streets in protest of “a living wage”
#BoycottRobertson wines until they agree to pay a living wage. https://t.co/9oQvBMyLcR
— Carilee Osborne (@Caz_RSA) August 27, 2016
We stand with the workers demanding a living wage from @RobertsonWinery. End exploitation #BoycottRobertson https://t.co/iJGqlbchRI
— Finding Africa (@findingafrica) August 27, 2016
ACT NOW: End repression at #SouthAfrica #winery @RobertsonWinery: https://t.co/aFtICimhqr
— Eric Dirnbach (@EricDirnbach) August 22, 2016
Cilliers said the winery was operating at 30% capacity due to the strike, but consumers would not be affected as yet. The company has more than 300 staff, and most of them have stayed away from work.
Workers at Robertson Winery went on strike today, calling on the winery to pay them R8,500 a month.
The workers, who protested outside the winery this morning, say they are currently earning between R2,900 and R3,500 a month before deductions, according to Karel Swartz, deputy general secretary of the Commercial, Stevedoring and Allied Workers’ Union (CSAAWU).
The winery is offering an 8% increase.
Swartz said that more than 200 workers had protested outside the winery this morning after wage negotiations had deadlocked.
“Workers demand a living wage,” he said, “We must move away from percentage increases. It is not good. Workers are earning a slavery wage.”
Swartz said this was the first time in the history of the company that workers had embarked on strike action. He said the union also wanted a committee to be set up so that they could jointly monitor the conditions both of workers at the winery and of the farmworkers who pick the grapes that supply the winery.
“We believe that we must have access to the farms,” said Swartz, adding that when representatives from the union went to the farms that supply Robertson Winery, the police were often called and the representatives were chased away.
CSAAWU is also currently campaigning to make exporters of Robertson wines aware of the working and living situations of the workers at the winery.
Deneco Dube, regional organiser for CSAAWU, said that the protest was peaceful this morning but police and private security were present, monitoring the situation.
He said Robertson Winery had organised casual labourers to replace the striking workers, but the casual workers had returned home when they saw the striking workers outside the winery.
The union has set up an online campaign urging supporters to call on Robertson Winery to take action.
In a statement on the dispute, the CEO of the winery, Anton Cilliers said its labour practices were measured by the “principles enshrined by the International Labour Organisation”.
“The allegation that Robertson Winery has denied its employees basic rights and has refused to recognise CSAAWU as the representative trade union, is simply incorrect. CSAAWU is presently fully recognised by Robertson Winery for purposes of collective bargaining and the union has additionally been granted full organisational rights within the company. The parties have engaged on various occasions in an attempt to establish a Recognition Agreement, and Robertson Winery remains committed to achieving this.”
Cilliers said the winery was engaged in wage talks for the next financial year and had “proposed an increase of 8%”
“For its part, CSAAWU has made a final demand for a 57% average wage increase,” said Cilliers.
Words: Ashleigh Furlong/GROUNDUP.org.za
In these situations, as I tweeted, it is crucial to distinguish an individual from an entire region and this is where I fear the aftermath of this hasn’t at comes in. We have frequented Robertson as guests of the Robertson Wine Valley with members that have shown passion and respect for their workers who are part of a team and not only this their family. I naturally can not speak for Robertson Winery and their staff disputes.
I urge all those who are getting involved to please keep the above in mind and not paint an entire village of people and fledgling businesses with the same brush.
The amount of damage that can resort from misplaced anger as a result of misdirected protests needs to clearly considered and done so within reason and lawfully. With the same “ethical” approach that is being demanded of Robertson Winery for the above “living wage”
At the end of the day respect is what is being asked of all parties involved. If we demand it, we should surely have it and offer it in our approach as well. Social media is a powerful tool that we need to use wisely. May justice prevail and may it be mutually beneficial to all those concerned.
I would love to hear your thoughts on #BoycottRobertsonWinery leave a comment below or TWEET me
