Island strikers ask tourists for support
2011-11-14 18:30
Johannesburg - Striking workers at the Robben Island Museum are asking tourists to cancel their visits as a show of support, their union said on Monday.
"We need them to understand the conditions we are working under," the National Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) said.
"We are telling them that what is happening here is exploitation and unacceptable."
Nehawu spokesperson Luthando Nogcinisa said workers distributed pamphlets informing tourists of the safety risks during their tours because of the pay dispute.
"It would not be safe to get on the ferry as there are only two operators onboard instead of the four that are required."
Nogcinisa said tourists were told how the workers were being underpaid while management was receiving the bulk of the salary budget, despite there being fewer people in management positions.
He claimed some tourists decided to cancel their trips after being informed of the union's grievances.
Management at Robben Island has filed an interdict with the Labour Court in Cape Town, in an attempt to remove the striking workers from island.
An island spokeswoman was not immediately available to comment.
Nogcinisa said: "We will be there tomorrow [Tuesday] to oppose the court order."
Disgruntled workers at the Robben Island Museum went on strike on October 25.
They were demanding a R3 500 pay increase across the board, which they later reduced to R2 000.
Workers also wanted time off during Christmas, so they could spend time with their families.
Last Wednesday, Nehawu called on Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile to intervene in the dispute.
The union said management had shown an "astonishing level of impudence" by refusing to accede to the workers' revised demands.
- SAPA