Cape Town – The National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) has threatened to spread its strike actions across the country, should their demands not be met.
Union members embarked on the strike despite a ruling by the Labour Court which interdicted the action. They are demanding a salary increase of 10-12% instead of the offered – 4.7%.
Nehawu has approached the Labour Appeal Court to appeal the interdict against the strike and warned of public service disruptions, reports EWN.
The strike actions saw disruption in public services at government facilities and buildings, as protesting members barricaded entrances and protested outside.
It is alleged that an investigation into four deaths is being done to determine if the deaths are a result of the strike.
Acting Minister of Public Service and Administration Thulas Nxesi strongly condemned the strike, saying that any labour action must be conducted within the law, reported News24.
“The department remains vigilant of any illegal activities designed to deny officials and the public access to the premises,” the report quoted Nxesi as saying.
Greys hospital in Pietermaritzburg is blocked by Nehawu striking workers. Through their provincial leadership Ayanda Zulu we have been told they will be intensifying their strike. They are demanding a 10 per cent increase for their workers. @eNCA #enca pic.twitter.com/MklaUv0SMU
— Nqobile Madlala (@NqobileMadlala_) March 7, 2023
According to BusinessLIVE, the union served the department with a strike notice in February following a deadlock in wage negotiations after the state unilaterally implemented a 3% salary increase for 2022/2023 in October.
In some provinces, health facilities were affected and law enforcement officers were being deployed to protect staff and patients, the report said
However, Nehawu spokesperson Lwazi Nkolonzi disputed any allegations that their members were causing disruptions to services, claiming they have been demonstrating peacefully.
Meanwhile, Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein reported several disruptions, intimidation, damage to property and threats of violence, according to Daily Maverick.
The report said doctors were concerned about patients as wards remained without staff.
A health worker said an investigation will be done after four patients were allegedly found dead, the report said.
“Our nursing services manager was up until 1.30am. She was actually laying out four corpses.
“We will investigate if the deaths are linked to the strike action… they were simply found dead in their beds and suffice to say that yesterday (Monday) no patient received any medication, or IV fluids or anything,” the report quoted a health worker as saying.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
