NEHAWU held a national day of action on Tuesday, 24 August.
The union picketed in different cities in defence of collective bargaining and workers’ rights.
In Braamfontein, Joburg, scores of union members picketed outside the Constitutional Court as the court was having a virtual hearing of their team’s legal submissions over wage increases.
Speaking to Daily Sun, Nehawu national treasurer Kgomotso Makhupola said the union wanted government to honour the agreement it made in 2018 to increase wages.
She said they understood that Covid-19 had affected the economy but workers were also facing financial challenges.
“These are the very same workers giving services to citizens and communities. We want the government to take this into consideration and reward the workers,” she said.
) In Tshwane, members picketed outside the public service and administration department.
The union said the government was rolling back the gains made by workers over the years.
Leaders said they had resolved to defend collective bargaining as many had sacrificed their lives for workers’ rights.
First deputy president Mike Shingane said: “We want the government to implement the agreement that was concluded in 2018.”
Cosatu Gauteng chairman Amos Monyela said they were at the Public Service Department because that was where salaries were negotiated.
He said if the Constitutional Court ruling didn’t favour workers, they might have to down their tools.
“We will organise our workers if there is no resolution and call for a national shutdown,” he said.
Sasco deputy secretary general Vezinhlanhla Simelane said the organisation supported the workers’ fight, as they were parents who needed to pay school fees.
Nehawu also held pickets in Eastern Cape, KZN, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Free State, North West, Western Cape and Northern Cape.
