FRIDAY, 5.00PM:
The proposed May 12 strike planned by the Congress of SA Trade Unions was delared unlawful in the Labour Court, in Johannesburg today. Cosatu organised the countrywide protests in reaction to certain clauses of the Conditions of Employment Bill.
The National Council of Trade Unions voiced its support of the protest action earlier this week, and the trade unions were to go on strike and marches over parts of the Bill that relate to child labour, overtime, maternity leave and the right of employers to apply for exemption from labour regulations.
Justice John Myburgh declared the protest action unlawful, in terms of Section 77(1) of the Labour Relations Act, and ordered Cosatu to pay the costs of the application.