Footwear workers put feet down

CLOTHING and Textile workers are demanding a 9.5% wage increase against the employer’s offer of 6.25% in the footwear sector.

The Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (Sactwu) began a strike in the footwear sector on Monday .

Sactwu general-secretary Andre Kriel said: “A secret ballot was completed on Friday past and 86% of our members voted in favour of strike action.”

Sactwu is working jointly with the National Union of Leather and Allied Workers, with 10000 footwear members who will participate in the strike.

Senior branch co-ordinator, Karen Manuel said they were not only fighting for a wage increase. “We are also fighting for our, family responsibility leave and payments of our annual leave,” she said.