PSA public-service strike under way

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - Jul 29 2010 13:44

The Public Servants' Association (PSA) said it was difficult to gauge the effects of a strike that got under way on Thursday.

This union became the first of the public-service unions to embark on strike action. It represents 210 000 employees across different government departments.

Manie de Clercq of the PSA said it was hard to evaluate the impact of the union's countrywide industrial action as it was the first day.

De Clercq said there were reports that OR Tambo International Airport had made special arrangements in case immigration officers did not turn up for work.

The Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) said the strike had "no impact" on the airports.

Acsa operates the country's airports, including OR Tambo and King Shaka International Airport.

De Clercq said the union's members started marching at about 11am and handed over referendums in various parts of the country at 1pm.

The PSA would reassess the situation once Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi had met the unions.

Baloyi is expected to present a revised wage offer at the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) to the public-service unions on Thursday afternoon, De Clercq said.

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If the minister made a decent offer, the union will take it back to its members.

Meanwhile, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) said on Thursday that it was "gravely concerned" by the affect a widespread strike of public-service employees would have on South Africa.

"All the positive outcomes from the recent successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup will be placed at risk by such action," SACCI said. -- I-Net Bridge

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