Strike at SAB’s soft drinks unit turns nasty

According to media reports, John Ustas, Managing Director of ABI, said that the company has gathered evidence of 241 incidents of violence and criminal acts since the strike began on 22 December 2009, including the stoning and gasoline bombing of delivery vehicles, shootings, attempted murder and assault. He said there have been seven arrests by the South African Police Services on charges including intimidation and kidnapping.

ABI has offered workers a wage increase of 7.8 percent, which it claims amounts to an 8.3 percent increase including benefits, while the union is holding out for a 9.5 percent hike.

Attempts at mediating between ABI and the union representing the workers have failed.