COSATU National Strike Begins Today Across SA

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), have called on their members to join the strike by staying away from work due to the government’s neglect and betrayal by not honoring the 2018 wage deal agreement.

According to the trade unions, the government neglected and betrayed them by not honoring the 2018 wage deal agreement which would have saw the salaries public servants increased in April this year, but it was not done hence the national strike.

A Teacher, Masego Fisher said government has failed public servants.

“That is a clear demonstration that our employer doesn’t care about us. It’s a sign of no respect and appreciation towards hard-working teachers even during this time of pain and anxiety caused by this pandemic,”

Sithembile Khumalo works at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.

“We have a problem with OHCS and safety. Besides the health protection the other health protocols, we become worried as you can see in the news, we see too much rape cases especially here in Gauteng. Secondly, the reason I am joining the strike is because of the resolution one of 2018, which the government is fighting against now.”

A statement on the mass action reads.

“We need to take a stand and push back against this flagrant theft of taxpayers funds and the disgraceful abandonment of the working class by policymakers and decision makers. The only way to undo this corrupt system is through disruption and non-cooperation and obstruction.”

The members will march from Langa to the Cape Town Civic Centre to give the Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato a memorandum of grievances.

The march will make stops at the Western Cape provincial legislature and parliament.