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Tomorrow, Tuesday, 22 November 2022, public service unions intend to see their members down all tools and participate in the National Day of Action.
The industrial action comes as public service unions, representing approximately 800 000 members, prepare to protest across the country, following the recent collapsed public service wage negotiations.
As readers will remember, Newcastillian News reported on a planned national strike earmarked for 10 November 2022, following the Government and the Public Service Sectors unable to find common grounds in their wage negotiations.
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According to the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), with the negations at a deadlock, it was important to remember that South Africa’s public service workers ensured that South Africans received public services.
“Our standpoint is also to demonstrate the seriousness within which we take the government’s concerted effort to underplay the role and significance of collective bargaining and the signed agreements that bind parties. With the rapidly increased cost of living, as the international lenders warn the worst is yet to come, the government wants public servants to be at peace with less than inflation increases. This cannot stand unchallenged.”
While the main focal point of the National Day of Action is the National Treasury in Pretoria, Cosatu noted that this would be complemented by similar joint programmes in all other provinces.
“Further to that, we will be continuing with picket demonstrations across critical service centres like public hospitals, the ports, and government institutions; our workplaces will become points of struggle up until Government comes to its senses. We have resolved to rally our collective might to push the employer to improve the rejected offer and will use everything in our power to register our disdain to the government,” the Union noted.
Providing assurances to the various towns throughout the region, local law enforcement said it was fully prepared to ensure the strike action did not escalate and Northern KwaZulu-Natal residents remained safe.
Newcastle SAPS spokesperson Lizzy Arumugam noted no intended protest action had yet been reported to the local police, nor to the Amajuba District SAPS. “However, the SAPS will be monitoring the situation and will notify the public of any developments.”
Staying in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, uThukela District SAPS, covering Ladysmith, Bergville and Estcourt, as well as Indaka, told Newcastillian News that they are also fully prepared for any last minute protest action in the area.
As law enforcement remains vigilant, the community is encouraged not to panic during this time, with local services expected to run as per usual.
What is your take on all of this? Share your views in the comment section below.
