WORKERS at the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA) have downed tools after the organisation failed to meet their salary demands.
The members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) started their strike on Monday, 29 May.
The strike followed after a deadlock on the cost-of-living protracted salary increase negotiations, where the organisation offered a 5% increase, while workers demanded 6,5%.
Nehawu’s Gauteng provincial secretary Mzikayise Tshontshi said the union was forging ahead with full steam in defending and fighting for better pay and working conditions for their members and workers at PPRA.
“The strike comes as a result of failed negotiations between parties, and this has left us with no choice but to go on strike until our demands are met,” said Tshontshi.
He said the workers rejected the offer and demanded a 6,5% salary increase.
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On top of that, they demand, among other things, the implementation of a housing allowance policy, a broader offering of medical aid options, an end to employees’ intimidation, victimisation by management, and reinstatement of union branch secretary.
PPRA acting CEO Thato Ramaili told Daily Sun on Thursday, 1 June that the management has consistently made it clear that the additional 1,5% demanded couldn't be afforded due to dire financial constraints the organisation finds itself under.
She said all other issues listed as the union’s demands had not been officially brought to management’s attention as part of the annual salary negotiations.
She said the allegations being communicated by the union to the media as the reasons for the strike are “refuted and devoid of any truth”.
“The organisation’s recourse to the strike has been to lock out all employees participating in the strike, in line with Section 64 (1)c of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (as amended). The no work, no pay principle also applies. All other issues listed as the union’s demands, communicated in the media statement, have not been officially brought to management’s attention as part of the annual salary negotiations,” said Ramaili.
She accused the striking workers of insulting women leaders at the organisation, adding that this would not be tolerated.
“While the PPRA fully accepts the union’s right to strike, the gender-based violence-laden insults hurled at the leadership of the entity under the pretext of struggle songs have been noted with concern,” said Ramaili.
She assured members of the public and partners that the PPRA offices remained open to provide services in line with their national mandate.
