USA Distillers workers picket over 13th cheque
SITEKI – About 40 USA Distillers employees yesterday used their lunch-hour to picket outside the company’s main gate.
They were demanding the remittance of their 40 per cent, deducted from their 13th cheque in December 2022.
According to one of the employees, their main gripe was that the company effected the deductions without engaging them.
USA Distillers is a company that produces ethanol for local and abroad markets.
Police officers from the Big Bend Police Station came to maintain order and later left after being informed by the company’s security officers that the employees were using their lunchhour to picket.
An employee said they were told by management that the company was encountering financial problems due to the hike in coal prices from their South African supplier.
“For the past few years, we have been receiving our 13th cheque without any deductions. We were surprised in December when the money was less by 40 per cent. We have also requested management to give us only the 13th cheque in December and then our salaries after Christmas, so that we are able to cover our personal commitments, including payment of school fees for our children,” said the employee.
Disrupted
The employee added that the company had disrupted their plans and financial obligations to their families.
“We demand the company to pay the deducted 40 per cent from the 13th cheque and that management should sign a collective agreement,” the employee added.
USA Distillers Administration Manager John Creamer confirmed knowledge of the picketing that took place yesterday but indicated that the employees had not yet served him with their demands.
The manager reiterated that to date, the union branch executive committee (BEC) had not handed over any demands but if it was about the 13th cheque, there was no basis for this demand as in the standard terms and conditions of employment, it stated that; “The company does not offer an annual bonus. A bonus may be paid at year end at the sole discretion of the Board and this bonus may vary from year to year.”
Grievances
He added; “I am aware of the picketing that took place today (yesterday) but nothing has been furnished to me regarding their grievances.”
Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said police went to the company’s premises to maintain order.
Meanwhile, in March 2021, over 20 Mahlabaneni youth members picketed outside the company, demanding that it should provide bursaries to the community youth for tertiary education.
Mahlabaneni is an area situated between Big Bend and Matata Town.
The youth also demanded that the company should sponsor youth projects aimed at bringing job opportunities in the area.