News24 reports that South African Breweries (SAB), the local unit of the world’s largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), is considering a restructuring process that could affect jobs, but will explore alternatives to avoid retrenchments.

SAB confirmed in a statement that it has held talks with trade union representatives regarding a “contemplated restructuring process” but that “no final decision” had been made about any retrenchments. Responding to questions following an eralier statement from the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) on the matter, the company did not disclose how many jobs would be possibly affected. Saftu said in a statement on Monday that a Section 189A retrenchment notice had been issued targeting 233 warehouse employees across SA. It added that after Saftu, led by its general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, joined the Food and Allied Workers’ Union in meeting with SAB on Monday, the company had agreed to put the retrenchment process on hold pending further talks. SAB did not refer to any such agreement in its response and only said it was involved in a CCMA-facilitated process. “The primary objective of this process is to explore all viable alternatives to avoid or mitigate potential job losses,” it indicated. SAB added that this process was “ongoing” and that it remained committed to “engaging meaningfully and in good faith”.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nick Wilson at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)

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