The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) expresses its full and unwavering solidarity with the members of the Food and Allied Workers’ Union (FAWU) who will commence protected strike action at Heineken Beverages South Africa from 05h00 on Monday, 3 August 2026, following the deadlock in wage negotiations.
This strike is a legitimate exercise of workers’ constitutional and labour rights after all the prescribed legal processes were exhausted, including conciliation at the CCMA, where the parties remained deadlocked, leading to the issuing of a Certificate of Outcome and paving the way for protected industrial action. Memorandum requested by the FAWU Head of Recruitment and Campaigns .
The workers’ demands are modest, reasonable and fully justified. FAWU initially tabled a package of demands that included:
- A 7% across-the-board wage increase, backdated to 1 February 2026 for the legacy Sedibeng Brewery and 1 April 2026 for the legacy Distell operations.
- A R500 monthly housing allowance.
- An increase in the meal allowance from R74 to R80 for shift workers and employees working overtime.
- Employer-provided transport for employees working weekend shifts.
- Expanded employee access to company liquor outlets. Memorandum requested by the FAWU Head of Recruitment and Campaigns .
However, during the CCMA process FAWU demonstrated remarkable responsibility and a genuine commitment to reaching a negotiated settlement. In the interests of labour peace, the union made substantial concessions. It dropped the housing allowance demand, withdrew the demand relating to liquor outlets, reduced its meal allowance demand from R100 to R79/R80, and proposed that the transport issue be deferred to the National Negotiating Forum rather than be insisted upon during the wage negotiations. Ultimately, the union remained with only its principal demand of a 7% wage increase and the revised meal allowance demand. Memorandum requested by the FAWU Head of Recruitment and Campaigns .
Despite these significant compromises by the union, the company refused to move from its final offer of 5%. Even after the CCMA Commissioner attempted to persuade the employer to reconsider its position in light of the union’s concessions, management remained adamant that it would only consult internally on the meal allowance and refused to improve its wage offer. The dispute therefore remained deadlocked at 7% for FAWU versus 5% for the company. Memorandum requested by the FAWU Head of Recruitment and Campaigns .
This demonstrates beyond doubt that FAWU did everything reasonably possible to avoid industrial action. The responsibility for this strike therefore rests squarely with an employer that chose confrontation over compromise.
These are not extravagant demands. They are basic demands for dignity in the face of a relentless cost-of-living crisis that continues to erode workers’ wages and living standards. While inflation has increased and workers continue to struggle with rising food prices, transport costs, electricity tariffs, housing costs and other essential expenses, the company has insisted on maintaining a position that leaves workers carrying the burden of the economic crisis. Memorandum requested by the FAWU Head of Recruitment and Campaigns .
Heineken is one of the largest and most profitable brewing companies in the world. Its profits are produced by the labour of thousands of workers who deserve a fair share of the wealth they create. Workers cannot be expected to absorb rising food prices, transport costs, electricity tariffs, housing costs and other essential expenses while corporate profits continue to grow.
SAFTU therefore calls upon Heineken management to return to the negotiating table with a genuine commitment to reaching a fair settlement. Prolonged industrial action benefits neither workers nor the company. However, lasting industrial peace can only be built upon justice, decent wages and respect for workers.
SAFTU further calls upon all our affiliated unions to actively demonstrate solidarity with FAWU members throughout the strike. We encourage our affiliates to:
- Visit picket lines and provide moral and practical support.
- Mobilise members to attend solidarity actions organised by FAWU.
- Publicise the strike and explain the justice of the workers’ demands through every available platform.
- Where possible, provide material assistance to striking workers and their families during the course of the dispute.
We also call upon the entire trade union movement regardless of federation affiliation including COSATU, NACTU, FEDUSA and independent unions to unite behind these workers. An injury to one is an injury to all.
Every victory won by workers strengthens the position of the entire working class, while every defeat emboldens employers to attack wages and conditions elsewhere.
This dispute is not only about Heineken workers. It is part of the broader struggle against declining real wages, growing inequality, precarious employment and the corporate assault on workers’ living standards. At a time when millions are unemployed and many employed workers are trapped in poverty despite having jobs, organised labour must close ranks and defend collective bargaining.
SAFTU also calls upon community organisations, civic formations, progressive youth and student organisations, faith-based organisations and all working-class formations to stand in solidarity with the striking workers. Their struggle is our collective struggle.
We urge FAWU members to maintain the highest standards of discipline during the protected strike, to ensure that all picketing remains peaceful, organised and united, while refusing any attempts at intimidation, provocation or violence. The discipline and unity of workers are among the greatest strengths of the labour movement and must remain the hallmark of this struggle.
SAFTU salutes the courage, determination and unity of the workers. We remain committed to supporting this struggle until a just and satisfactory settlement is reached.
For media enquiries contact the National Spokesperson at
Newton Masuku
066 168 2157
newtonm@saftu.org.za
Media Officer
Asive Dyani
071 901 9564
