The National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) has promised to intensify the strike as it enters a second week of hospital workers downing tools.
Speaking in Braamfontein on Sunday during a media briefing, Nehawu general secretary Zola Sapetha said they wanted to demonstrate the seriousness of their rejection of the government’s “unilateral” 3% wage increase for the 2022/2023 financial year.
The union is demanding an above-inflation increase and vehemently rejected the 3% given by government against the union’s demand of a 10%.
“The employer has arrogantly demanded we drop the dispute and return to the public service co-ordinating bargaining council (PSCBC) to engage on the 2023/2024 public service wage negotiations. This is a demonstration of how far government is prepared to undermine and collapse collective bargaining and dispute resolution mechanisms by imposing their will on workers.
“We’re aware that certain ministers inside the mandating committee of the employer have refused to support the new minister of public service and administration, Noxolo Kiviet, to resolve the impasse. Instead, they engage in tactics to divide unions and we want to warn them this approach is regressive and will collapse the public service,” Saphetha said.
On Friday, the labour court heard Nehawu’s appeal against an order of the labour court authorising the employer to execute the order granted on Saturday interdicting the strike.
The judgment is expected today.
Nehawu president Mike Shingane said six unions affiliated with Cosatu were opposed to the 3%.
Last week health minister Joe Phaahla, while speaking at Charlotte Maxeke hospital, said the unprotected strike by Nehawu had led to the loss of lives.
“The comments of the minister and the desperate attempts to link the loss of life to Nehawu is part of their quest to crush the strike. Never before have we seen a determined state that wants to defeat workers from what they seek . It’s co-ordinated through the entire state against workers,” Shingane said.
On the loss of lives, Sapetha said it was always unfortunate.
“We reserve the right to comment on the minister attributing the four lives that have been lost a to the strike. As the union we await the conclusion of that investigation by the state. Once that has been made public we’ll then comment.
“It’s a serious allegation because we’re painted as a union that encourages genocide. Currently, there is no evidence that points to the fact. The state must take responsibility for any development that takes place at hospital,” he said.
Last week the Gauteng health department put in contingency measures to ensure hospitals aren’t badly affected by the strike and these include the provision of essentials such as continuous supply of oxygen, diesel, food, linen and constant collection of waste. The department has also mobilised agencies to fill the gap left by striking workers.
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