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Eastern Cape Liquor Board workers have embarked on a strike, demanding a 10% wage increase.
The Nehawu-affiliated workers, which include administrators, liquor license issuing officers and outlet inspection and compliance officers, started picketing at the board's head office in East London on Monday.
Nehawu regional secretary Miky Jaceni says in addition to the wage increase, the workers are not satisfied with some of the working conditions, employment benefits and not being consulted when decisions that affect them are made.
"Our demand is 10% and they have given us 8%, although in our original engagement they promised 9%. We are therefore still embarking on our initial demand of 10%. We also informed them that we will try to get more workers to embark on the strike" he said
EC liquor Board spokesperson, Mgwebi Msiya says management and the union representing the workers are in talks to reach an agreement.
Msiya adds that they fully acknowledge the legitimacy of the workers’ demand, however, the organisation cannot afford the 10% salary increase as demanded.
He says that they believe 8% salary increase that we have offered is quite reasonable relative to what other government departments and entities have offered in this financial year
Msiya says bonuses that were also part of the demands have been paid to all deserving employees on Tuesday.
