Security officers protest: Satawu threatens full-blown strike nationwide

More than 500 000 security guards across the country are set to down tools as wage negotiations hit a deadlock.

The SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) has thrown its weight for a full-blown strike in the security sector, claiming that ’employers are continuing with the agenda of exploiting workers’, highlighting that workers are subjected to poor wages.

The union says during the negotiation table, they made it clear that they do not accept the 5% wage offer presented by the employers, but are demanding a 16% increase.

Satawu spokesperson Amanda Tshemese denounced the offer, labelling it as a hot slap to the employees.

“We wish to inform our members at this stage, we are currently in the process of submitting our picketing rules and we will be meeting with the employer on the 1st of September 2022 over the picketing rules,” warned Tshemese.

“We expect both parties to conclude and sign off the picketing rules on the 12th of September and on the 26th we will be embarking on a strike if the employer does not give us a better and meaningful offer,” she strongly cautioned.

Tshemese said theirs, is not to stage a protest, however, if their demands are not met they will be left with no chance but to call for over half a million security officers to down tools.

“Strike is not our priority as more than 500 000 security guards would be affected, but the employer leaves us with no choice but to embark on a strike and we will not back down until the employer stops playing hide-and-seek,” vowed Tshemese.

Satawu was also joined by Kungwini Amalgamated Workers Union (Kawu) during a press briefing on Monday, August 29.

The unions estimated that 500 000 private security personnel could join their strike.