Peace has been restored to the Game store in Louis Trichardt.

This follows after the management of Game SA and Saccawu (South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union) signed a wage settlement agreement at the CCMA (Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration) on Tuesday, September 1.

Game workers demanded an across-the-board increase of R531 a month, a minimum wage of R2 800 per month, an R80 laundry allowance, a 15% staff discount and Christmas vouchers.

The union also demanded the unconditional withdrawal of the “unlawful lock-out” of members refusing to be subjected to the biometrical finger-scanning system. Saccawu regarded the biometrical system as unfair and illegal.

After long negotiations, Saccawu has accepted an across-the-board increase of R375, which will be backdated to July 1.

Saccawu has been involved in disputes with three divisions of the Massmart Holdings Group, namely Makro, Dion and Game. The strike started on August 17.

In Louis Trichardt, customers where greeted by an angry mob of union members, blocking the entrance of the store, singing trademark protest songs and blowing on their vuvuzelas. After police supervision arrived on Wednesday, August 26, picketing members decided to relocate to the two main entrances of the shopping complex, much to the dismay of other shop owners.

According to the union’s own picketing rules, striking members were not allowed to come within 50 metres of the entrance of any stand-alone store, or where the store doubles as the entrance to a shopping centre or mall. Union members, however, still tried to intimidate clients and prevent them from entering the complex.

The chief executive officer of Game, Jan Potgieter, expressed his gratitude this week to customers, staff and management who supported Game during the industrial action. All the employees were expected to return to work by September 3.