Public-service union leaders were excited by the turnout around the country in protest against government’s wage offer on Thursday.
National Health and Allied Workers’ Union president Nolunthundu Mayinde-Sibiya said in Pretoria the turnout was looking very good.
”There are lots of people and more are expected,” she said.
Her spokesperson, Moloantoa Molaba, said the only concern the union had was that health workers seemed to be at work.
”We have sent people to hospitals and they say that all the full-time staff are working while the support staff are striking — that is the wrong way around,” he said.
Public Servants Association general manager Anton Louwrens, who was in Kimberly, could hardly contain his excitement.
”It’s going so well,” he exclaimed.
He said there were thousands of people in Kimberley and he had heard that in one of three Bloemfontein gathering points there were already 2 000 protesters with another ”three big busses” expected.
In Polokwane, Police and Prison’s Civil Rights Union general secretary Abbey Witbooi said the Limpopo capital was alive with atmosphere.
”There are lots of people here and the vibe is very good,” he said.
A group of white teachers carrying National Association of Professional Teachers of SA banners said it was the first time they had joined a strike.
”It’s our first time to strike but we have been fighting for teachers’ rights since the 60s when we were students,” said Hillary Lewis-Soma.
Disruptions in Nelspruit
Strikers turned up in much greater numbers than expected for a march through Nelspruit in Mpumalanga, causing havoc with the traffic.
Although strike organisers only expected 22 000 people, the traffic department estimated that around 35 000 people had convened on the Nelspruit show grounds.
Half an hour after the strike was due to commence cars were still streaming towards the show grounds, blocking the roads.
A task team consisting of members of the defence force and the police were strongly present and were containing the situation.
The march, which had not yet started by 11.30pm, would proceed along the R40 between White River and Nelspruit.
The protest is being organised by eight public service unions.
They are demanding a seven percent pay rise, and have rejected the government’s highest offer of six percent.
‘Excellent reponse’
Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) spokesperson Patrick Craven said: ”We are getting the impression that the response is excellent.”
The protest by eight public service unions has been billed as the largest ever in the country, with about 800 000 public servants expected to take part.
Unions are demanding a seven percent pay rise, and have rejected the government’s highest offer of six percent.
Public servants also want medical aid, housing allowance and long-term salary increase issues addressed.
Denosa Secretary-General Thembeka Gwagwa said: ”People are arriving, and we expect them come out in their thousands.”
The SA State and Allied Workers’ Union said few of its members were expected to go to work on Thursday.
Secretary-General Mthimkulu Mashiya: ”From indications, we are sure very few people will be working today.”
He said he saw only security staff at the departments of transport and justice in Pretoria.
”I also kept my own child at home today as schools are going to be empty as well.”
Public Service and Administration Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi said she expected the public service to function as normal. Those who opt to strike will not be paid.
Government negotiator Kenny Govender said a national co-ordinating committee has been put in place, and provincial and national government departments had their own contingency plans.
Special measures could include non-striking staff being redeployed from one centre to another and head office staff working in other offices.
”At this stage, there is no plan to hire outsiders.”
Govender warned that essential services staff participating in the strike would face disciplinary action. These included police, nurses, prison warders, border control staff, and emergency services.
Several unions representing essential services staff have threatened to join the strike, but Madisha on Wednesday urged them not to.
”We’ve asked those in intensive care units, trauma units, and prisons to remain at their posts,” he said.
Strike hits schools
Schools in major centres were either closed, virtually deserted or operating on skeleton staff as the strike got under way.
Schools that were closed in Johannesburg included Franklin D Roosevelt Primary School in Roosevelt Park, Aston Manor Primary School in Kempton Park and the Emmarentia Primary School.
Johannesburg Secondary School’s principal Jason Arthur said only 25 pupils and four teachers had arrived for school.
Charlo Primary School was closed in Port Elizabeth, while other schools, such as Craighall Primary in Johannesburg and Grove Primary in Claremont, Cape Town, were open, but operating on skeleton staff.
The principal of Seapoint Primary School in Cape Town said the school was open, but operating on minimal staff. ”The staff here are not able to strike, either because they are not unionised or they can’t afford to lose a day’s pay,” said Almarie Mead.
It appeared that many parents had opted to keep their children at home.
Grey College High School in Bloemfontein was open and it appeared to be business as usual with parents dropping off children.
Business as usual in the police service
Police head office spokesperson Senior Superintendent Mohladi Tlomatsana in Pretoria said: ”The police are at their posts. Some of our members are out to monitor the protests, and they have all turned up for duty. Others are also at their posts.
”It’s business as usual in the police service.”
Edenvale Hospital in Johannesburg seems to be running normally, although staff say it is too early to tell whether the strike will have an impact. – Sapa