NEHAWU Press Briefing 12 March 2023
NEHAWU Update Statement On The Public Service Strike
Saturday March 11, 2023
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] proudly salute all its members and workers in the public service for waging a relentless struggle in the public service by keeping our strike or picket lines alive in defence of collective bargaining and rights of workers.
We also appreciate and wish to thank all the solidarity and messages of support received since the commencement of our strike particularly the invaluable support from our sister unions both abroad and here at home, the working-class organisations, community based organisations and the public in general.
On Monday, the 6th March 2023, the national union embarked on an industrial action as a result of collapsed wage negotiations, implementation of austerity measures and the attack on collective bargaining by the government. Having noticed that the union is resolute and firm in its pursuit of the strike, the government decided to approach the courts to interdict our national strike through provincial departments of health.
We wish to take this opportunity to call on our members to adhere to the framework of these interdicts through engaging institutional (hospitals) managements to ensure access to the service. Indeed, our strike is directed to the employer not to our communities.
On Friday, the 10th March, the Labour Appeal Court heard our appeal on the enforcement order of the interdict by DPSA and reserved the judgement for Monday the 13th March 2023. The national union will await the judgement and will immediately meet our lawyers for legal recourse to be considered.
Indeed, the leadership of the national union will be meeting this evening to receive reports and deliberate on the latest developments which include amongst others; the facilitation process at the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council [PSCBC] to resolve the dispute.
Lastly, we urge all members and public service workers to continue to keep the picket lines alive as our strike continues.
Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat
Zola Saphetha (General Secretary) at 082 558 5968;
December Mavuso (Deputy General Secretary) at 082 558 5969;
Lwazi Nkolonzi (NEHAWU National Spokesperson) at 081 558 2335 or email: lwazin@nehawu.org.za
Visit https://www.nehawu.org.za
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