Nehawu: If department doesn't listen, there will be water interruptions
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) says their workers will intensify their national strike to also include members working in critical water positions.
Nehawu is demanding that the Water and Sanitation department improves working conditions and end outsourcing.
The national strike kicked off on Thursday.
Nehawu said on Friday morning, leaders would be calling on their members working at the dams from where water gets dispersed, to also down tools.
Nehawu spokesperson Khaya Xaba says they will decide on Friday whether the national strike will be intensified.
"Should the strike not give any desired result today, we will be left with no option but to call those comrades who work at the water dams and pumps so that there is water interruptions as a tactic to try and put more pressure on the employer."
The Department of Water and Sanitation assured South Africans that the tapes will not run dry.
"Water that is necessary is already within the supply system, especially municipalities and water boards and critical areas of Eskom and major industries. That water will keep on flowing," says spokesperson Sputnik Ratau.
The department is facing serious financial problems after it told Parliament that it might be on the brink of bankruptcy.