/ 22 September 1999

PUBLIC SERVANTS TO STRIKE AGAIN?

THE Congress of South African Trade Unions is holding a special meeting on Tuesday to decide whether to back another massive public service strike. This follows Monday’s meeting of representatives from 12 civil servant unions who decided to seek their members’ endorsement for strike action aimed at shutting down the public service next month. That is in response to government’s decision to unilaterally implement a 6,3% wage increases. The unions, which represent about 800000 civil servants, are demanding an average 7,3% increase. Cosatu said its position will be made known by Wednesday. Paddy Padayachee, the spokesman for the 12 unions, however said strike action is inevitable, and the details merely have to be worked out.