This is the incomplete draft of a pamphlet about the struggles of supermarket workers in Tembisa, a large township outside of Johannesburg. It was drafted through a process of four online and two face to face meetings. Workers explained their issues and asked Autonomous to draft the pamphlet and help to distribute it in the Tembisa community. They then approved the draft and we are now arranging for printing and distribution, which will happen in the next two weeks. The community will be asked to join a demonstration at the store on a date that workers will decide over this weekend. The workers are members of the union NAWTALU with whom Autonomous is cooperating in this struggle.
Message to the community of Tembisa
From: NAWTALU (National Workers Transformation and Liberation Union), supported by Autonomous (a union of job seekers)
In this pamphlet we bring the following urgent issues to the attention of the community of Tembisa:
Complaints about Pick n Pay, Busy Corner we received from workers
The response of Pick n Pay, Busy Corner management when we approached them
Why the struggles of Pick n Pay workers are important for the whole community
The support the workers are asking from the community.
Complaints we received from workers
Women workers are sexually harassed, abused and victimised by certain managers. The company refused to act against these managers.
Nepotism - jobs are given to relatives and friends of managers only.
Bad treatment - workers are disrespected and treated badly.
Workers are intimidated and dismissed when they complain and join the union.
Too much work is expected for the number of workers.
Workers are not paid properly for working on holidays.
Discrimination - some workers are dismissed for small offences, while others can commit large offences and managers do nothing because these workers are seen as their favourites.
Response of management
They refuse to meet with the union to address grievances. Management tries to hide behind the law, but the law does not forbid them to meet with a union that is not yet registered.
They deny that there are problems, without hearing the side of the workers and the union the workers chose to represent them.
Instead of meeting and addressing issues, they try to intimidate the union by saying marches and boycotts are illegal. This is not true. They also say they will take the union to court for informing the community.
Why worker struggles are important for the community
Poverty, unemployment, exploitation and sexual violence against women are serious problems in the community.
By fighting for proper wages the workers are fighting to solve poverty.
By fighting for more jobs to be created the workers are fighting to solve unemployment.
By fighting for justice for black workers the workers are fighting to solve exploitation.
By fighting for safety and respect for women workers, the workers are fighting to solve sexual harassment and violence against women.
How community members can support the workers