Cosatu denies decision to suspend strike

By Sonata Lee
26 June 2007

Trade union COSATU and other affiliated unions held a press conference in Cape Town today to announce the possibility of a suspension of the public servants strike.

At the meeting the Cosatu Western Cape branch denied taking a unilateral decision to suspend the strike.

This announcement comes after a statement by the National Professional Teacher’s Union (Naptosa) and the Health and Other Service Personnel Union (Hospersa) that they would suspend their participation in the strike.

“Our members over the weekend decided that because there are some members in the inland provinces on holiday already and our teachers are not on strike there,” said Naptosa President Dave Balt.

“It was unfair for the teachers on the coastal regions to continue striking and lose pay at this particular time where there are no negotiations taking place,” he added.

A daily newspaper reported that Hospersa President Gavin Moultrie described the government’s current offer of 7.5% as “fantastic for us.” However, Balt says that Naptosa cannot accept the government’s latest offer and Naptosa has the option of reinstating the strike action if the unions do not accept the latest proposal.

Meanwhile, Cosatu President Willie Madisha said there would be no wage deal with government until at least tomorrow. This, he said, applied to Cosatu-affiliated and non-Cosatu public service unions.