Nehawu calls off Robben Island strike

A strike by Robben Island Museum workers has ended, the National Health Education and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) said on Thursday.

They decided to go back to work after a three-hour meeting at the Nelson Mandela Gateway on Wednesday, said Nehawu provincial secretary Luthando Nogcinisa.

The workers have been on strike for three weeks, seeking higher wages and time off over Christmas.

“We decided yesterday to suspend the strike,” said Nogcinisa.

“It was a mutual decision by the management and workers,” he said.

Nogcinisa said management had committed to implementing a provision to increase medical aid allowance in terms of a settlement signed last year.

The “fundamental issue”, however, was the widening wage gap between top management and lower workers, Nogcinisa said.

“Management have agreed need to open negotiations on how the wage issue will be addressed.”

The workers stopped working on October 26 after a deadlock was reached in negotiations with management for a R3 500 salary increase across the board and a complete shutdown of the museum between December 24 and January 2.

Management offered a 6% salary increase and refused to shut down the offices during “peak season”.

The lowest paid worker on the island earns R78 000 a year.

Nehawu later demanded a R2 000 salary increase as well as “considerable leave” for some of its members during the festive season.

Museum chief executive Sibongiseni Mkhize told the Cape Times newspaper that he was still waiting for a letter from Nehawu confirming that the strike had been called off.

Mkhize said operations were running smoothly even though half of the 225-man staff was not there.—Sapa