Strike by parliamentary staff suspended

“Our decision to suspend the protest emanates from an agreement we reached with management,” chairperson of Nehawu’s Parliament branch, Sthembiso Tembe, said during a media briefing after he addressed cheering and ululating workers.

Parliamentary staff had been striking over a dispute around how their bonus were to be calculated.

“The agreement confirmed the union’s position in terms of the agreement we signed in March which says the perfromance bonusses will be paid based on the annual package. The management has agreed on that one,” said Tembe.

Nehawu and Parliament agreed to form a task team, made up of representatives from both sides, and outside parties if necessary, to work on the “modalities or percentage that will be paid” to workers.

Parliament’s secretary Gengezi Mgidlana later confirmed the deal during a media briefing, reading from the agreement, which says: “An inclusive committee [task team], incorporating of representatives from both management and the union, should be established … and this committee would deal with the modalities and details on the practical implementation of this principle taking into account the finances of Parliament.”

The task team has until Friday to report back to workers, who will then decide whether they will accept or reject management’s offer.

In the meantime workers will report for duty on Wednesday morning.

ANA

File photo: Gallo Images