Nehawu downs tools at Department of Social Development
The National Education Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) says its members have gone on strike at the Department of Social Development.
Nehawu's General Secretary, Bereng Soke wage negotiations collapsed last night.
"We are calling on all our members to down tools for a total and indefinite shutdown until our demands are met," says Soke.
"For more than a month now since the submission of our memorandum, the employer has failed to table a counter offer, only releasing an insulting propaganda statement. Our demands are clear," says Soke.
Their demands include revised salaries for support staff, uniforms for cleaners and security officers, the introduction of a rural allowance, the provision of tools of trade and absorption of unemployed social workers on a permanent basis.
"As a result of the collapsed negotiations of last night, the leadership in all layers of the national union is deployed on the ground at picket lines to intensifying the strike," says Soke.
Soke says they are also in the process of consulting their members in SASSA over their long-standing demands that have not been addressed by the employer in the same department.
"Our members are already calling for a total indefinite shutdown of SASSA and union is considering this option. We are now calling for all our members and all social development employees to come out in support of their legitimate demands and their fighting union," says Soke.