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BL Premium reports that according to the strike barometer of the Casual Workers’ Advice Office (CWAO), there was only one strike more in the first half of the year than in the previous first half.
There were 39 labour strikes in the first half of 2023 versus 38 in 2022’s matching period. In 2022 the CWAO identified 86 strikes for the full year. Most of the industrial action involved pay increases, nonpayment of wages, overtime and allowances. In its latest report, the organisation said of the 39 strikes, 19 (49%) were wildcat (unprotected), 20 (51.2%) were protected, and four were work-related actions (pickets and demonstrations). Most (54%) of the strikes concerned pay issues. “This mainly reflected a growing trend in municipalities where the overtime budget is cut, even though essential service workers continue to work overtime without knowing that they will not be paid. Sometimes, workers’ contributions to their medical aid funds or unions are retained by corrupt or unstable municipalities.” Demands for permanent employment were the second most common reason for striking, while the third-highest cause was workers wanting employers to recognise their unions. According to the barometer, most of the strikes (37.5%) took place in the public sector. Expanded Public Works Programme workers, community health workers and public sector-linked security guards were involved in seven of the 19 wildcat strikes.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page