Johannesburg – No work, no pay – warns the government ahead of the one-day public sector strike planned for today.
The warning came after last-minute talks failed to break the impasse over wage demands made by union federations Cosatu, Saftu, and Fedusa who have rejected the government’s 3% increase offer.
The unions have announced plans to protest outside the Treasury’s door in Pretoria on Tuesday. They want the government to hike wages by at least 10%.
Thousands of public sector workers are expected to join the strikes, which could affect schools, hospitals, border posts, home affairs offices, police stations, prisons, transport activities, and state offices.
However, the Department of Public Service and Administration has warned that it will apply the “No work, no pay principle to public servants taking part in the strike.
The unions will also march in Durban and Bisho to press for higher wage hikes.
In the Western Cape, the public sector strike would have coincided with the taxi violent protest action, on its second day, but Cosatu said the march in Cape Town had been called off.
On Monday three buses were set alight in Cape Town, but taxi owners distanced themselves from the arson.
Commenting on the burning of the buses, the Western Cape Government said it strongly condemns the violent acts “we have seen in some communities today following the mini-bus taxi strike”.
The Western Cape Government added: “It is unacceptable and a flagrant disregard of the rights of innocent commuters and citizens that after benefitting from a significant pilot investment in the mini-bus taxi industry, they are now acting lawlessly and violently”.
The City of Cape Town said “given the volatile situation, ït suspended the N2 Express service in Khayelitsha, with MyCiTi service deviations in place for Dunoon and surrounds, as well as Hout Bay.
Similarly, the Dial-a-Ride service for people with special needs has also been suspended in Dunoon, Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Bloekombos, Delft and Nyanga until further notice.
