Havoc as security guards strike at Rethabile Clinic

Services at Rethabile Clinic were interrupted yesterday (Wednesday) when security guards attached to public health facilities in Polokwane took to strike action.
According to information around 50 guards attached to a Polokwane-based business started gathering outside the clinic, one of the busiest healthcare facilities in the city, from early morning to demand salary increases and overtime payment. The guards resorted to strike action, which they threatened to continue with until their demands are met.
By the time Polokwane Observer arrived nobody had addressed the crowd as yet and members of the group continued picketing at the clinic entrance where rubbish bins had been overturned. They held placards highlighting their demands.
A representative of the group, Virginia Malemela informed Polokwane Observer that they wanted an increase in salaries from R3 800 to R5 200 which they received from the previous employer until the current company owner took over in May last year. She claimed when calculating overtime it was overtime, night shift, holiday and bonuses amounting to R25 012, 37 but that they hadn’t received any payment since May last year. She said that when they took it up with the company a representative informed them that she didn’t communicate with security guards, as they are uneducated.
The owner of the security company could not be reached on his cellphone at the time of going to print.
Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba’s spokesperson, Thabiso Teffo said they would investigate the matter and if established that the employer contravened the service level agreement they would suspend the contract for a month and appoint another contractor.

Story:
Edny Senyatsi
>>endy@observer.co.za
Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert.observer@gmail.com

Photos: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert.observer@gmail.com