Public Service Union Statement 28-06-07

 

The Public Service trade unions, after full consultation with their membership, have unanimously agreed to call off the strike action which began on 1 June 2007.

We pay tribute to all our members who displayed such self-sacrifice and heroism in their four-week fight for an improvement in their salaries and working conditions. This strike is historic - a turning point in the lives of public-sector workers.

We congratulate all 17 unions for maintaining an unprecedented level of unity and cohesion. We have consistently worked together and rebuffed all attempts by the employer and the media to create divisions. This combination of unity and militancy means that never again will the employer dare to treat us with the callous indifference they have displayed in the past and during this dispute, until they were forced to compromise when confronted by the militancy and determination of their workforce. They will never again dare to talk of unilateral implementation of pay deals.

The strike will also have inspired other workers to demand that their employers improve their wages and working conditions and given them confidence that they can fight and win.

The majority of unions have agreed to sign an agreement based on the employer's offer of 22 June 2007. Others are still consulting their members to obtain a mandate. Others, in the education sector, are not prepared to sign and will be engaging with the government further.

For further information please phone the following general secretaries:

Aquina Thulare SAMA 0832813474
Dan Van Wyk PAWUSA 0824624350
Freddie Mohai SADNU 0824147971
Mthimkhulu Mashiya SASAWU 0826571143
Fikile Slovo Majola NEHAWU 0824551751
Thembeka Gwagwa DENOSA 0825516042
M Masemola DENOSA 0825516041
Thulas Nxesi SADTU 0827826877
Abbey Witbooi POPCRU 0828206079
H Hendricks NAPTOSA 0825779297
Mannie de Clercq PSA 0828808926
JR Pieterse SAOU 0834537751
Success Mataitsane NUPSAW 0825538465
Barres Machakela SAPU 084 2302302
Gavin Moultrie (President) HOSPERSA 0836533021
Johan Steyn HOSPERSA 0833211500
A Thompson NATU 0736078141
OFP Ragolane PEU 0829046842