Around 500 dismissed workers belonging to the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union (CEPPWAWU) will take their case to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration next week.

In a statement on Thursday, the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) said it had given its full support to the workers.

The workers were dismissed following a strike in August.

"They were working at a company called Express Payroll in Olifantsfontein, Midrand, but were actually employed by a labour broker called Payroll Miniload.

"But the two companies are in fact owned by the same family." Cosatu said.

The workers were in wage negotiations in August and when the company rejected their demands they embarked on a protected strike.

The employer then obtained a court interdict, which the union did not immediately contest, and when they did, they lost the case, Cosatu said.

"The company has forced the strikers to stay 1.2km from the factory, and they have had to meet under a tree on open ground, with no toilets or running water.

"Seven workers have been arrested but four have already had their cases dismissed."

Cosatu said the company was employing scab labour, also through a labour broker, and one of the scab workers had told the strikers that conditions at the company were even worse than before.

"This case demonstrates graphically the reasons why labour broking should be banned.

"It leaves workers in a highly vulnerable situation and undermines their legal and constitutional rights to be treated fairly," Cosatu said.

In response to Sapa's questions, Express Payroll's Leigh van Rooyen replied: "I don't want to have this conversation."

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