Pick n Pay Proposes Changes to Worker Benefits and Rosters
SACCAWU says the supermarket chain wants to eliminate night transport, cheap meals, Sunday bonus pay and 13th cheques for full-time staff. Pick n Pay denies any plan to fire workers and says it sent legal notices only to discuss operational changes while reporting worsening losses. The union plans a press conference in Johannesburg on Monday.
citizen.co.zaPick n Pay has proposed changes to full-time store workers’ benefits and rosters, including night transport, staff meals, Sunday bonus pay and 13th cheques. According to AllAfrica, the South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) said the retailer sent formal legal notices directly to workers last week.
SACCAWU spokesperson Sithembele Tshwete told Business Report that company officials presented the proposals in a meeting and asked the union to sign an agreement accepting the changes immediately. “If it means that we have to go out on the streets, we’ll go out on the streets,” Tshwete said.
The union stated that Pick n Pay broke consultation rules by communicating directly with employees rather than through the union first. Pick n Pay denies that it plans to dismiss 22,000 workers. The company said the legal letters were sent to discuss changing the way the business operates.
CEO Sean Summers said Pick n Pay treats its staff much better than rival shops and wants to change work rosters so full-time staff work on weekends. The retailer also claims its employee benefits are much higher than those at rival grocery stores. AllAfrica reported that Pick n Pay is losing money and trying to turn its business around after closing several stores and freezing salaries.
The company expects its financial losses to get much worse by 2026.
SACCAWU said the proposals amount to an attempt to fix the company’s share price by reducing worker benefits. The union added that the supermarket wants to cut night transport, cheap meals and Sunday pay for full-time store workers. SACCAWU first detailed the demands in statements that also accused the retailer of attempting to cancel Sunday bonus pay and 13th cheques.
The union will hold a press conference in Johannesburg on Monday. Pick n Pay workers are ready to strike, according to SACCAWU.
Tshwete’s comments to Business Report underscored the union’s willingness to escalate if the company does not withdraw the proposals.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
4 events- May 11, 12:02 PM ET
1 new source added: Bloomberg
1 sourceBloomberg - 2026-05-04 to 2026-05-10
Pick n Pay sent formal legal notices to workers
1 sourceAllAfrica - 2026-05-11
Article published detailing union accusations and company response
1 sourceAllAfrica - 2026-05-12
SACCAWU scheduled to hold press conference in Johannesburg
1 sourceAllAfrica
Potential Impact
- 01
Press conference on Monday may escalate public and labour tensions
- 02
Changes to weekend rosters and benefits could alter full-time employment terms for thousands of retail workers
- 03
Potential strike action by SACCAWU members could disrupt Pick n Pay operations across South Africa
Transparency Panel
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