ABOUT 900 members of the Security Officers Civil Rights Workers Union have embarked on an indefinite strike after accusing the Enlightened Security company of not paying them on time.

Union members downed tools last week after claiming that some members had not been paid for up to three months.

The union's general secretary Makopo Mokoena said yesterday: "This company has no regard for labour laws. It has not paid workers for three months."

Mokoena said that the security industry union has had running battles with the company over organisational rights, sectoral determination and conditions of employment.

"Payday at Enlightened is the last day of the month, but we have had instances where our members had to wait for up the 4th. Eleven workers were dismissed in Johannesburg and 12 in Pretoria after questioning that," he said.

"We lodged a grievance procedure at the CCMA (Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration). The company then unilaterally changed conditions of employment and reduced workers' salaries."

Last Thursday, the striking workers staged a sit-in at the company's head office in Rivonia, Johannesburg.

Mokoena said they had met at the weekend to prepare for the negotiations scheduled to begin today.

The company had by yesterday not responded to Sowetan's queries.