WEDNESDAY, 3.30PM:
PLANS for a national trade unions strike on October 27 and 28 were called off on Wednesday, after the Congress of South African Trade Unions met its tripartite alliance partners for discussions on the controversial Basic Conditions of Employment Bill on Tuesday night.
The meeting, which continued through the night, was attended by Deputy President Thabo Mbeki for the African National Congress, Cosatu president John Gomomo and SA Communist Party chairman Blade Nzimande.
Cosatu said in a press release: “We are confirming that substantial progress was registered in this meeting. Most of the gaps that existed between the alliance on core issues have been closed and in some areas significantly reduced.”