FAWU+March+to+Kraft+HO+10h00+Woodmead+060808

News Release: For Immediate Attention
Wednesday, August 2, 2006, 16h00 (CAT)

=NUMSA JOINS FAWU IN SUPPORT OF 11-WEEK KRAFT STRIKE=

Around 1000 FAWU and NUMSA members are picketing outside Kraft's Foods' premises during lunchtime for the duration of the week as build-up to a FAWU led COSATU march planned for Tuesday, August 8, 2006. The action comes in support against the company's refusal to concede to our members' reasonable demands. 800 Members of the National Metalworkers Union of South African (NUMSA) came out in large numbers in support of the 11th week strike by 314 permanent workers at the Kraft Foods' Elandsfontein plant.

FAWU workers have been on strike since May 25 this year as a result of a dispute over wages and retrenchments. We believe that the company has plans to downscale permanent workers in favour of casuals. The multinational, which happens, also refuses to pay workers the norm of three weeks severance packages like South African companies do. Workers have accepted a 6,5 percent wage increase but management reverted back to their offer of 5 percent.

All meetings to resolve the dispute between the two parties have failed. FAWU is up in arms as our members have been out on strike for eleven weeks and with the " no work, no pay" rule in mind, we are eager to resolve the impasse as soon as possible before the strike turn into a prolonged strike similar to that of our sister union, SATAWU, a few months ago. Support from the international IUF campaign against Kraft Foods, is mounting and support letters will be handed over to the company on the day of the march.

Marchers will gather at Makro taxi rank at 10h00 in Woodmead, Sandton and proceed to hand over a memorandum to the Kraft head office in Woodmead at 13h00 on August 8, 2006. The march will be led by office bearers of COSATU's National leadership.

ENDS


 * Released By: FAWU media officer**
 * Dominique Swartz**
 * 082 498 5631**
 * Contact : FAWU General Secretary**
 * Katishi Masemola**
 * 082 467 2509**


 * Vincent Ditse**
 * 073 7888 530**