SUN INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC WORKSHOP PARKTONIAN HOTEL JOHANNESBURG FRIDAY 23 – SATURDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2012 AIM OF WORKSHOP: To identify and develop strategic perspectives and approaches to organising within the hospitality sector particularly focused on organising contract and casual workers at Sun International. UNITY DEMOCRACY SOCIALISM Knowledge is too important to be left in the hands of the bosses

South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union Sun International National Strategic Workshop 23 – 24 November 2012 Presentation by Sahra Ryklief

FACING FLEXIBILITY: SUMMARY 1.Organising challenges in the sector 2.Employer strategies 3.Sun International case 4.Organising challenges in the union 5.Facing flexibility : averting collision points 6.Recommendations for discussion

Organising challenges in the sector FACING FLEXIBILITY: LONG RANGE GLOBAL TREND STRUCTURAL CHALLENGES TO UNION REPRESENTATION SACCAWU A PIONEER – NATIONALLY AND GLOBALLY LEVERAGE IN INHERENT CONTRADICTIONS OF RETAIL AND HOSPITALITY SECTORS

Employer strategies DRIVING DOWN OF LABOUR COSTS & RESTRICTIONS TO TRADING HOURS: CREATING THE INFORMALISED REMOVING ANY PERMANENCY/JOB SECURITY REMOVING OR REDUCING BENEFITS RESTRICTING BENEFITS TO CORE STAFF ONLY VARIABLE HOURS FLEXIBILITY IN SCHEDULING SHIFTS AND HOURS UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL DECISION MAKING UNDERMINING DECENT WORK AGENDA THROUGH DE- REGULATION

Sun International case INEQUALITY BETWEEN CORE AND SCHEDULED STAFF NO OBVIOUS DEMOGRAPHIC DIFFERENTIATION INFORMALISED WORKERS WANT TO BE UNION MEMBERS SOME ATTITUDINAL ISSUES BUT CORE STAFF PREFER EQUALITY AT WORKPLACE ONLY STRIKE SHIFTS MANAGEMENT WIN SOME LOSE SOME: LONG DRAWN OUT PROCESS CAN RECRUIT BUT NOT REPRESENT

Organising challenges in the union RETAIL SECTOR CAMPAIGNS WON CERTAIN VICTORIES AGAIN STRIKES SHIFTED MANAGEMENT POLICY LESSONS FROM STRIKES – PICKETING RULES; STRIKE FUND MANY APPROACHES BY EMPLOYERS TO UNDERMINE VICTORIES.

Facing flexibility : averting collision points S/ST COMMITTEES: PLATFORMS OF SELF ORGANISATION? CONSTITUTIONALITY SETTLED. WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE IN THE UNION AND ON WHAT LEVEL? WHAT INFORMATION GAPS NEED TO BE FILLED? WHAT CHANGES TO THE LAW WILL HELP?