BREAKING: Coca-Cola Beverages SA Set to Cut Over 680 Jobs; Unions Vow Fightback
The beverage giant cites financial constraints and shifting industry dynamics as central reasons for the move.
Johannesburg, South Africa (September 18, 2025)
Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) is moving forward with a restructuring plan that could see more than 680 employees retrenched and the closure of its Bloemfontein and East London production plants.
At the same time, union leaders are accusing the company of undermining worker protections and pledging to challenge the process.
Motshidisi Mokwena, CCBSA’s Head of Communication, confirmed to IOL that the company is making “organisational adjustments” in response to evolving industry conditions. The adjustments will lead to some roles being impacted and job losses.
While the company has committed to offering affected workers a separation package, it also said it has started consultations with both unionised and non-unionised employees who might be affected. It emphasized its commitment to manage the process with fairness, transparency, and compassion, confirming that no final decisions have been made yet.
On their part, the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) has formally expressed opposition to the retrenchments and threatened to contest them legally.
FAWU’s Deputy General Secretary Edwin Mabowa accused the company of bypassing proper union engagement by negotiating directly with individual employees. He says that even before any formal CCMA (Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration) process began, CCBSA had initiated discussions with affected workers in ways the union considers improper.
Mabowa rejected the notion of staged phases (e.g., “first phase, second phase”) in the retrenchment process, stating there is no such division formally agreed with the union. He emphasized that FAWU will “fight the retrenchments.”
The Bloemfontein and East London plants are among those scheduled for closure under this restructuring plan.
Retrenchment notices under Section 189 (South African law governing large retrenchments) have been issued. FAWU says notices were served, but says the employer appears to be proceeding without full union consultation.
FAWU insists that all processes follow legal and procedural requirements, including proper notice, full consultation, and fair treatment.
They want the separation packages and negotiations to be handled through collective processes, not via individual agreements that might weaken collective bargaining power.
The union has also suggested that the reasons given by the company (financial constraints) should be subjected to scrutiny, arguing that the company may be using the financial narrative to justify restructuring that favours business realignment rather than genuine survival needs.
Key issues now include the outcome of an upcoming CCMA mediation as the hearing scheduled for 19 September 2025 will be important to see if mediation/agreement can be reached.
Other key issues are the exact scope and generosity of the promised separation packages, how fairly un-unionised workers are treated, the potential impact on the Bloemfontein and East London communities, and the wider political response as public pressure mounts over large-scale job losses and likely effect.
