Withdrawal of Application to Amalgamate the National Bargaining Council for the Restaurant, Catering and Allied Trades
On 6 June 2025, the Department of Employment and Labour announced the official withdrawal of the application to amalgamate the National Bargaining Council for the Restaurant, Catering and Allied Trades. This decision, published in Government Notice R. 6296, effectively halts the process that began with the application lodged on 14 March 2025.
The initial application sought to amalgamate the bargaining council across several provinces, including the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu Natal, North West (excluding Brits and Rustenburg), Mpumalanga (excluding Witbank), Limpopo (excluding Warmbaths), and Gauteng (excluding Pretoria, Bronkhorstspruit, Cullinan, and Wonderboom). The scope covered a broad range of food service businesses, from restaurants and fast food outlets to coffee shops, pubs, catering services, and convenience stores.
Certain business activities were excluded, such as casinos, hotels, sports club catering, filling stations linked to convenience stores, and food outlets operated as part of supermarkets.
The council represented 31,726 employees affiliated with trade unions and 1,771 employers in employers’ organisations, with a total of 44,648 employees under these employers. The proposed scope included 2,887 employers and 69,526 employees.
The withdrawal of the application underscores the complexity of unifying such a diverse and dynamic sector. While the official reason remains unstated, the decision likely reflects a combination of stakeholder feedback, procedural considerations, and the need for further consultation. This pause offers an opportunity for all parties to reassess and ensure that any future amalgamation serves the best interests of employers, employees, and the broader industry.
View the official government gazette below:
