/ 31 May 2007

Strike disrupts court proceedings in Jo’burg

Proceedings at the two main courts in Johannesburg were disrupted on Thursday as public servants downed tools for three hours.

Chanting outside the Johannesburg High Court grew louder as the morning progressed with the number of protesting workers swelling to about one hundred.

At the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court, 96 workers participated in the three hour ”lightning strike”.

Public servants are demanding a 12% wage increase while the government is offering only 6%.

Striking workers at both courts were members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu).

All clad in red Nehawu T-shirts, the workers chanted and carried posters that read: ”12% is more of a living wage” and ”We have lost trust in the ANC”.

Nehawu shop steward at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court Nelly Kellisen said she expected more court officials to join the industrial action on Thursday afternoon.

”They are just taking a break for now. Many have been chanting since 9am. They are tired,” she said.

Officials who joined the strike at the magistrate’s court included interpreters, stenographers, clerks and cleaners.

The effects of the strike at the Johannesburg High Court had already been felt on Thursday as the sentencing of child killer Ronald Ambrose Jones had to be delayed due to the absence of a stenographer.

Kellisen said this was only the beginning and the effects would be worse felt on Friday.

Public servants across the country are expected to down tools on Friday. — Sapa