Dispatch *Public sector declares ‘wage war’* *Asa Sokopo, Daily Dispatch, East London, 19 August 2010*THE public sector says it has “declared war” on the government after wage negotiations reached an impasse, resulting in thousands of civil servants downing tools.
The strike could bring the Eastern Cape province to its knees as unions say that due to government’s unwillingness to meet their demands, all services will be crippled indefinitely.
Hospitals and schools have so far been the first to bear the brunt, with the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) being the first to announce their rejection of government’s offer.
In the wave of planned national strike actions driven by Cosatu, public servants are demanding an 8.6 percent wage increase, plus R1000 housing allowance and equalisation of medical aid subsidies.
Until now government has stood by its offer of seven percent and R700 housing allowance; increases which are expected to cost the State an additional R5 billion.
Cosatu announced that the strike would continue indefinitely and denied allegations that government had tabled a revised offer of nine percent that had been rejected by the unions. The 200000-strong Public Servants’ Association (PSA) would also join the strike, PSA deputy secretary-general Manie de Clercq said.
Eastern Cape National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union provincial secretary Xolani Malamlela said that in each workplace strike committees had been established to engage employers.
Malamlela said skeleton staff would be left in hospitals comprising a mere 20 percent of the hospital workforce.
The provincial Department of Health announced yesterday that the South African National Defence Force could be called in to assist at hospitals.
Health spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the department would continue rendering services.
Mass marches have been planned by unions across the province on August 26. Sadtu has organised marches in Bhisho, Mthatha, Port Elizabeth, Queenstown and Lusikisiki.
Government has given unions until today to agree to the offer of seven percent, failing which it would be implemented.
Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi said the strike “at the moment where children are due to sit for exams, where South Africans are demanding acceleration of services” was “unfortunate for the country, workers and leaders”.
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