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Sadtu: Negotiations are a joke
13/06/2007 14:01 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Negotiations between government and public sector unions have been a joke, the South African Democratic Teachers Union told public service strikers in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
"I regret to inform you that what is supposed to be negotiations has become a joke," said Sadtu general secretary Thulas Nxesi.
His comments elicited a groan of disappointment from the mass of people gathered in the CBD ahead of a march to the office of Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa.
"The negotiation has become a sham... I have bad news for those who want to go back. We are so far from going back," he said.
Nxesi slammed government for failing to show any political will and failing to commit itself to deal with the issues under negotiation.
He also raised the issue of the dismissal of essential service workers, saying, "Any injury to one is an injury to all. Dismiss one, dismiss all."
Nxesi told workers that unions disagreed with government's definition of essential service workers.
The march is expected to commence shortly with marshals lining Nugget Street.
Police are also preparing to set off. A memorandum will be handed over at the office of Shilowa, outlining the workers' demands which include a refusal to accept wage increases linked to inflation. This resulted in "no real wage increase over the last ten years."
The same memorandum was handed over to the premier at the commencement of the strike action on June 1.
Meanwhile, workers continued to toyi-toyi and sing as they made their way to Nugget Street.
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