COSATU to protest against WC teacher job cuts at SOPA

Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, will be greeted by protesters outside the Beaufort West NG Church on Wednesday afternoon, as he prepares to deliver his annual State of the Province Address (SOPA).

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and its affiliates are planning to strike against what they call the “unilateral draconian decision to cut over 2 000 teacher posts” in the Western Cape.

The trade union held a briefing, last Monday, where they announced plans for a stay away, and called on all workers to support the protest action.

COURTESY: SADTU Western Cape

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) did not renew contracts at the end of 2024, as it blamed national treasury for budget cuts to the education sector,

COSATU provincial spokesperson, Malvern de Bruyn, said it is seeking a one-day shutdown for businesses in the province over the cuts to the teacher posts.

“We want the provincial government and the MEC of Education to change their mindset and review the decision and reinstate those workers whose contract was terminated.”

“We are saying reprioritise your budget and bring the money back to education. They use the money for safety and security, but the sad reality is that they are just now missing workers again... we are saying reprioritise and bring the money back to where it belong,’’ he added.

De Bruyn said they are taking this action after the matter was referred to the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac), and thereafter they failed to reach an agreement, which has now prompted them to take strike action.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said they respect organised labour’s right to embark on industrial action.

‘’But as I’ve always said it is counter-productive to protest during the working week when we are doing everything we can to kickstart economic growth. I would also call on COSATU to work with this provincial government to motivate for more funding for critical Provincial services like education healthcare and social services as unfortunately many of the cuts we have had to make have been as a result of the cut in our budget allocation from the national government. In the longer term the way to resolve this is for more economic growth and we are doing everything we can to kickstart economic growth and supporting businesses creating more jobs.’’

 

Done By: Elona Sibunzi