The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union said it would intensify strike action in Kimberley and the Northern Cape this week in its ongoing wage dispute with government.
THE NATIONAL Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) said it would intensify strike action this week in rejection of the 3% wage increase offer for the 2022/23 financial year and the 0.5% increase for the 2023/24 financial year.
The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa), the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw), the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru), the South African Policing Union (Sapu), the Health and Allied Workers Indaba Trade Union and the Socialist Revolutionary Workers Party in the Northern Cape have all expressed support for the strike.
Some unions will join the mass action or hold lunchtime pickets in support of the call for a 10% percent salary increase.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Premier, Department of Health, Department of Social Development, Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Department of Education, Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Provincial Treasury, Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Affairs, Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison and the Department of Roads and Public Works obtained an urgent interdict in the Northern Cape High Court on March 9 against Nehawu members and their employees from embarking on strike action.
In terms of the order, unauthorised gatherings, disruption of services, blocking of entrances, throwing of rubble or human excrement, intimidation, and threats or assault of officials, patients and members of the public are prohibited.
Any shutdown of any government offices as well as the vandalism or damage to property or instigation or provocation of violence is also not allowed.
The police have been instructed to remove anyone who defies the court order.
Nehawu on Sunday indicated that it had embarked on industrial action as a result of “collapsed wage negotiations, continuous implementation of austerity measures and the aggressive attack on collective bargaining by the government”.
“This collapse has brought a new escalation of miseries, pains and suffocations that threaten the historic gains and meagre livelihoods of public service workers and their families.”
Nehawu added that the Labour Appeal Court had heard their appeal on the execution order of the interdict by the Department of Public Service and Administration, where judgment was expected on Monday, March 13.
“The national union will await judgment and will immediately meet our lawyers for legal recourse to be considered.
“We remain resolute that no amount of litigation or intimidation by the government will deter us from this noble and worthy cause that we have embarked on – fighting for public servants, defending collective bargaining and rights of workers.”
Some officials pointed out that the employer could not claim that it did not have the money to fund the increases.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa increased his bloated Cabinet at great expense to the taxpayer, yet there is no money to pay the workers on the ground who are actually doing the work?”
Nehawu provincial treasurer Regina Manha and regional secretary Lerato Sithole were kept “hostage” at the Premier’s Office after they had made use of the restroom on March 7
Manha, who is six months pregnant, questioned what would happen if she went into labour while her freedom of movement was restricted.
Nehawu deputy provincial chairperson Dineo Maitse stated that their leaders were prevented from leaving the front gate, which was locked with a padlock.
“The head of security put the keys away in a drawer. These are ladies who cannot be expected to relieve themselves in a bush. After making use of the ablution facilities, the ladies were not allowed to re-enter the building as the doors were also locked.”
The police had to intervene so that they could leave the premises.
Maitse pointed out that their members were frustrated.
“We are disciplined and peaceful but if they push us too far, things can get out of control.”
