Private security workers plan to go on strike on 26 September across the country if their wage increase of 16% or R900 across all sectors are not met. Employers have offered an increase of 5% which was rejected by the private security workers’ unions.
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Employers have until 12 September to grant the union’s request for a 16% wage increase or R900 across all sectors, with added benefits including extended family responsibility leave, with the alternative being a strike which will see 500 000 security guards leaving their posts vulnerable to criminals.
According to data from the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) there are over 2.4 million registered security guards across the country. Data published by PSIRA in June 2022 shows that security guards earn an annual wage of between R57 432 and R74 604, which equates to a monthly salary of R4 786 to R6 217, depending on their role and location, with higher risk areas paying more.
The Saftu-aligned Democratised Transport Logistics and Allied Workers Union (Detawu) and the Cosatu-aligned South African Transport and Allied Worker Union (Satawu) said that they support the strike and are currently in the process of submitting picketing rules.
According to Satawu, private security guards outnumber the South African police by more than double and the defence force by more than triple.
The union added,” Going on strike is not our priority as more than 500 000 security guards would be affected. However, the employer leaves us with no choice but to embark on a strike and we will not back down.”
All private employers, factories, hospitals, government officers and businesses will be affected if the planned strike goes ahead.
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