State doctors on Monday came out in support of wage negotiations that have deadlocked ahead of an ”unavoidable” national public strike, the South African Medical Association (Sama) said.
”We fully support the public service’s 12% wage-increase demands, while at the same time recognising that essential services and patient care must not be compromised by strike action,” said Professor Mac Lukhele, chairperson of the Sama committee for public-sector doctors.
Lukhele said about 60% of all public-sector doctors — including those at district, regional and academic hospitals — were Sama members.
The union acknowledged the seriousness of the deadlock between unions and the employer.
”Sama, as an affiliate of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), confirms that it supports any action that seeks to improve the circumstances of the members of the public service.”
Last Friday Cosatu-affiliated and independent public-sector unions were united in rejecting government’s 6% wage-increase offer.
”The biggest public-service strike in a decade seems to be unavoidable,” a joint statement said.
Lukhele said Sama was canvassing its members on options around essential services in order to protect workers from violating the law.
Legislation prevented workers in essential service sectors, such as the police, maintenance and health, from striking. — Sapa