TZANEEN: Strike wishes granted
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) has suspended its strike action at the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) after signing a settlement agreement in favour of its members and workers in general.
Employees from the (DWS) Tzaneen joined on a National strike on Thursday, March 8 in a march against the outsourcing of contracts as well as better working conditions, cleaner offices and safe accommodation.
The strike, that was legal and above board, was joined by DWS workers across the country, at all 53 workplaces of the department.
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Employees of DWS in Tzaneen gathered outside the offices close to Tzaneen dam wall and chanted their wishes in unison.
The striking workers were those in both permanent and contracted positions.
McDonald Sibuyi, National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) Regional Secretary, led the group and told the HERALD at the time, “work is often outsourced to external contractors, upon completion of the contracts, the end work is often shoddy and then we [DWS staff] are expected to fix the mess.
Sibuyi and the picketers believe that the outsourcing leaves them redundant in their positions and gives the employer the opportunity to “slowly push us [the workers] out the door.”
A similar strike was held last year and was reported on by the LETABA HERALD.
Sibuyi said, whilst addressing the group, “We want to see the strike resolved as soon as possible.
“Actually, as soon as yesterday. The employer must come to the table. We want to work.
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“We are fighting outsourcing.
“We have the will and the guts to go on and do the work that we are employed to do.
“Remain strong. Remain united. Their [the employers] strategy is divide and rule.”
NEHAWU have since confirmed that after just three days of the strike, the union reached a resounding agreement in favour of its members and workers in general.
Both NEHAWU and the employer also agreed that there will be cessation of hostilities and that no worker will be a victim of punitive measures by the employer for participating in the strike.
In this regard, the union has suspended the strike action and both parties will ensure orderly return to work within 24 hours.
