Approximately 500 Eastern Cape teachers, cleaners, clerks and other public servants from as far away as Port Alfred and Alexandria united outside the Department of Education District Office in Grahamstown to join the national Cosatu strike for increased wages, living allowances and medical aid subsidies.
Approximately 500 Eastern Cape teachers, cleaners, clerks and other public servants from as far away as Port Alfred and Alexandria united outside the Department of Education District Office in Grahamstown to join the national Cosatu strike for increased wages, living allowances and medical aid subsidies.
The strike, called by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) involved the South African Democtratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu), National Education Health and Allied Workers (Nehawu) and members of other unions.
“We have no time frame, we strike until the government responds to our grievances, until our demands are met,” said Mbeko Bandwa, cluster coordinator for Sadtu and a teacher at Zuney Primary School.
Cosatu deputy chairperson for Grahamstown, Thanda Mtshalala said public servants had the same demands as the teachers.
They want an increase in their housing subsidy from R700 to R1 000 a month. “We demand – not ask – for 8.6% wage increase,” Bandwa said.
The bargaining chamber of the government is currently offering 7%. Mvula-Jamela said the average salary for a teacher is R9 000 per month.
The strikers also want a 50% increase on the medical aid subsidy but the government is offering a 20% increase. The unions have been given 21 days to accept the offer.
Gwen Mvula-Jamela, chairperson of Cosatu Grahamstown said: “We feel for our learners, but unfortunately when the situation is abnormal, you react abnormally.” Banda aggreed.
“This is a co-ordinated, organised strike because of an irresponsible response from the government. Parents are fully aware,” said Bandwa.
“We have been talking to government since the beginning of the year. We obliged their request during the
World Cup for the sake of national unity but they still haven’t responded,” he said.
Sadtu members didn’t strike during the World Cup, as they were asked by the government not to disturb the tournament.
“We do understand no work, no pay but we must sacrifice,” said Roger Metelerkamp, spokesperson for Sadtu’s education desk and a teacher at Alexandria Primary School.
“We have no other option. It’s a question of who is stronger than whom. The muscle of the government or the muscle of the masses?” The teachers sang “Why do they treat us like this?” while they toyi toyied in the rain.
“These are revolutionary struggle songs from the apartheid era,” said Bandwa, adding, “We vote for them, put them in power and they thank us with nothing.”
He reassured the public that “this strike is like Ghandi, peaceful.” Mvula-Jamela said the unions will not be intimidating anyone who wants to continue with work because the strike is voluntary.
Meanwhile, the acting spokesperson at Settlers Hospital, Pria Govinden said that nurses were not striking. Cosatu’s Mtshalala said that police, prison staff and other essential services were also not on strike.
Mtshalala said: “We do not want to neglect our people who will be using essential services. We don’t want our parents passing away during strikes.”
