Today's Labour News

Independent Media reports that Cosatu has come out in support of striking ANC workers, with the labour federation indicating that it expectedthe ruling party to conduct itself in an “exemplary manner”.

ANC workers have been on strike since Thursday following the non-payment of their salaries and they have vowed to continue their strike until their demands were met. The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) advised it had instituted a litigation process to ensure that the ANC staff received their money. Meanwhile, a crowd funding initiative was launched by the ANC with the aim of raising funds that might assist it to pay employees who have not received their salaries. Last week, the party’s general manager, Febe Potgieter, indicated that the ANC’s finances were insufficient to pay the staff members for August. Salaries for July were also not paid. At the weekend, the party shared a post, including banking details, on social media platforms, asking members of the public and ANC supporters to make contributions to a Nedbank account. Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla emphasised that the workers were not volunteers, as they have signed contracts. “They [the workers] keep their end of the bargain, and the ANC has to honour that. Our union, Nehawu, are assisting those workers on how to facilitate their fight. Nehawu has made it very clear that they’ve been trying to engage with the ANC for some time and also indicated that they will explore legal avenues, if possible,” said Pamla. Nehawu’s Lwazi Nkolonzi indicated that the intention with the litigation process was to look at valuables, such as properties and cars, that could be turned into funds to ensure that the workers got what they were owed.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tarryn-Leigh Solomons at Independent Media

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page