Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) has announced a restructuring plan that will result in the permanent closure of its manufacturing facilities in Bloemfontein and East London. The move is set to render over 680 employees jobless, sending shockwaves through the communities and the local beverage industry. The company has attributed this drastic decision to severe financial pressures that have made the continued operation of these plants unsustainable.
In a statement, the soft drink conglomerate confirmed the closures and acknowledged the significant impact on its workforce. However, it sought to offer a measure of consolation, stating that affected staff would be offered a “generous separation package” as part of the process. The financial value of these packages has not been publicly disclosed in Rands.
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Union Vows to Fight, Accuses Company of “Going Behind Our Backs”
The announcement has been met with fierce opposition from the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU), which represents a significant portion of the workforce. The union has pledged to formally challenge the mass retrenchments and has accused CCBSA of engaging in underhanded tactics ahead of scheduled conciliation proceedings at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), which are set for the 19th of September 2025.
Edwin Mabowa, the Deputy General-Secretary of FAWU, expressed his profound outrage at the company’s conduct. He alleged that management was attempting to sideline the union by negotiating directly with employees, a move he claims violates standard labour relations procedures. Mabowa stated,
“Before we can even have our first meeting with the CCMA, the company is going behind our backs and consulting with the employees individually. They are telling you that the first phase and the second phase is completed. According to the union, there is no first and second phase.”
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Coca-Cola Fires 680 South Africans As Major Plant Shutdown
The closure of these long-standing plants signifies more than just job losses for the employees; it represents a substantial economic blow to the regions of Bloemfontein and East London. These facilities were significant employers and their shutdown is likely to have a ripple effect on local suppliers and businesses that serviced the operations. As the 19th of September CCMA meeting looms, all eyes are on whether the union’s challenge can force a reversal of the decision or secure improved terms for the hundreds of workers facing an uncertain future.