PRETORIA UNIONS representing 1.3 million South African government workers have temporarily called off their three strike pending further consultations with their membership.The suspension has in fact brought in the sigh of relief to the more than 48 million people who were finding it difficult to access government hospitals, children not going to school while immigration and Home Affairs offices were completely shut.
Announcing the suspension of the strike on at the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSACBC) in Centurion, South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) President, Thobile Ntula, said the unions were giving the government up to 21 days upon which they would review the course of action take following feedbacks from their constituencies.
We are not calling off the strike, but suspending it. We are going to take what is on the table back to our members whether we take it, or sign for the offer, said Ntula.
Ntula however could not reveal as to when the teachers, nurses, clerks, immigration officers and Home Affairs personnel would return back for duty.
But the Sadtu president emphasised the needy to resume provision of service delivery, a development that would see hospitals, schools and Home Affairs operate at full-throttle servicing the public.
About 1.3 million government workers downed their tools three weeks ago demanding 8.6% wage increase and R1 000 monthly allowance while the government insisted on 7.5% wage offer and R800 housing allowance.
Ntula reiterated that the suspension of the strike came from the unions membership across the country hence the announcement yesterday.
He said the unions were still concerned about the equalisation of medical aid, which he indicated would be effected in December while other workers demands would be finalised in April 2010.
Post published in: News