COSATU condemns dismissal notices 10-06-07

 

COSATU condemns dismissal notices

The Congress of South African Trade Unions condemns in the strongest possible terms the government's issuing of notices terminating the services of workers who have been on strike in support of their justified demands for a living wage and better conditions of service.

This is a provocative and vindictive act against workers who are legally exercising their constitutional right to withdraw their labour.

The trade unions have consistently condemned acts of violence and intimidation by either side in this dispute. But what could be more intimidatory than to kick workers out of their jobs when they are struggling to improve their lives. It is the sort of callous provocation one would expect from the worst maverick employers in the private sector - unforgivable from a democratically elected government put in power by the working class and the poor.

The employers' bullying tactics will enrage the workers and make them all the more determined to continue and intensify the strike. COSATU utterly reject the claim by Public Service and Administration Minister, Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, that the number of workers involved in the strike is declining, and the incredible claim that less then 10% of workers are participating. All the evidence points to growing participation and these provocative dismissals are likely to increase the numbers and the militancy.

We demand the immediate withdrawal of these letters and COSATU appeals to all workers who have received them to stand firm, not to be intimidated and to continue the fight.

There cannot now be any settlement of the dispute that does not include the immediate reinstatement of all dismissed workers, the withdrawal of threatening letters and interdicts and the release of those workers arrested by police, whose violent interventions in Cape, Town, Durban and Nelspruit we have condemned.

The strikers, COSATU and all its affiliates are more determined than ever to win this dispute and are mobilising all its members, in the public and private sectors for a massive show of strength when the solidarity strikes by COSATU affiliates in the private sector start on Wednesday.

Meanwhile the unions are continuing to try to negotiate a settlement and have proved their commitment to the negotiations by offering to accept a 10% salary increase. But they are not budging from that figure and all the other points in the claim, which are fully justified. We demand that the government end their intransigence and come to the Bargaining Council with a substantial improvement in their offer.

Patrick Craven (National Spokesperson)