Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital staff return to work after national wage strike

The Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital staff went back to work after a week of striking where health services were left to cope with skeleton staff.

The hospital’s spokesperson Tabudi Madisha said the hospital only experienced a major disruption on March 8.

“Most of our employees returned to work the following day on Thursday, March 9 and our facility has since been operating as normal. With regards to the catch-up plan, we have 52 clinics in the facility which have activated their catch-up plans in line with their respective dynamics. As such, the clinics will complete their catch-up on different dates. Some have already dealt with the backlog while others are still implementing their plans.”

Gauteng Department of Health’s head of communication Motalatale Modiba added that the department of health continued to monitor the resumption of services, especially, in facilities that were hard-hit by the Nehawu strike over the past week.

“This follows the ruling by the Labour Appeal Court on Monday, March 13, which interdicted the strike with immediate effect thus ensuring that essential service employees are restrained and prevented from continuing with or participating in any such strike, picket or any other form of industrial action. The department called on all its workers to return to work with immediate effect.”

National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu)’s General Secretary Zola Saphetha concluded that the government recognised the need to have a minimum service level agreement (MSLA).

“In the wake of the strike, the government has appreciated the urgency of engagement on the draft framework of the MSLA through the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) processes within a six-month period. The conclusion of the agreement will ensure a proper balance in adherence to the constitution’s provision on the right to strike and the mandatory requirements regarding the designated essential services.”

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