News24 Wire reports that seven health sector unions in Limpopo have served a joint notice of intention to strike over what they say is the unilateral change of working conditions of nurses and other healthcare workers.

Limpopo health department spokesman Neil Shikwambana confirmed receipt of the notice served on Friday. The seven unions include Denosa, Nehawu, Hospersa and the PSA. In the notice, the union indicate that the strike, which will be preceded by lunch hour pickets, will start next week across all health facilities in the province. Union members to embark on the strike also include paramedics and other related workers. The unions have already been issued with a certificate of non-resolution of the dispute by the public health and social development sectoral bargaining council. But head of department Dr Thokozani Mhlongo on Monday described the unions’ intention to strike as “bullying”. She said the decision to change working conditions was premised on financial constraints as 70% of the budget was spent on salaries and overtime for employees.

• Read the original of the report in the above regard on page 8 of The Citizen of 3 March 2021

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