retrenchment of affected employees<\/a> and ensure jobs are saved.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Department of Employment and Labour has now stepped in, after organised labour and Pick n Pay CEO Sean Summershad called for the Minister’s intervention in the matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The DEL said that the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 allows employers to dismiss employees based on their operational requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meth, under the expanded mandate to preserve jobs, met with Pick’n Pay’s top executives, including Summers, as well as leaders of major worker unions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This included the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The department said the intervention successfully steered the parties toward common ground, with job security and economic stability as top priorities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following an intensive six-hour engagement, the parties have agreed to return to the bargaining table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI want to highly commend the leadership of Pick n Pay, COSATU and SACCAWU for their maturity, patriotism and willingness to find each other,” said Meth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“By agreeing to actively look for alternative, sustainable solutions through the collective bargaining negotiations, it is a positive step for workers, the retail sector and South Africans in general.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Department said that while the talks are currently at a highly delicate stage, the mood is optimistic and the halt of the CCMA process is a major milestone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The parties have also agreed to handle the discussions with the utmost care and sensitivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA meeting was held yesterday with the identified parties,\u00a0and our engagements continue,” Pick n Pay told BusinessTech. The group did not have further comment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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