TimesLive reports that the strike at the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) entered its fourth day on Monday as unions presented a revised wage offer to their members.  

The strike, which began last Wednesday, has crippled the service.  As a result, the NHLS has been using private laboratory services for emergency tests required by hospitals.  Apart from wages, the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) has also called for the NHLS to be reintegrated into the Department of Health.  Nehawu general secretary Zola Saphetha said a revised offer was put on the table for consideration by unions during a meeting on Friday.  “The union is currently embarking on a consultation process with its members for a mandate.  While under the mandating process‚ the strike continues in full swing‚” Saphetha said on Monday.  A national bargaining forum of the NHLS will convene on Wednesday at which a final decision would be taken about the offer and the strike.  Tahir Maepa of the Public Servants Association (PSA) said the union was consulting with members.

• Read this report by Ernest Mabuza in full at TimesLive

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