Why the public service strike is a good thing.

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Johan Beaurain

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The strike is bringing the workers together. Workers from all categories supported the strike. Nurses, doctors, administrative staff, maintenance workers, cleaning workers, teachers, they were all there. Many diffrent unions came together in united action during the strike.

It is not only the workers in the lowest ranks whom are supporting the strike, but workers in higher ranks are also supporting the strike. Even white workers who never use to strike before, are also supporting the strike.

The strike could be the start of creating a new fighting spirit amongst the workers. Police whom are shooting at those workers, whom are prepared to put their life on the line to create a better life, should think twice before they pull the trigger. By pulling the trigger they will not only be shooting themselves in the foot, they will also be shooting the country in the foot.

We will only be able to develop the country properly if workers whom were previously divided, can reach out to each other and take their hands together. Once we have created that unity, it will be much easier for us to develop the country together.
 
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Johan Beaurain said:
Police whom are shooting at those workers, whom are prepared to put their life on the line to create a better life, should think twice before they pull the trigger. By pulling the trigger they will not only be shooting themselves in the foot, they will also be shooting the country in the foot.
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The ones they were shooting at weren't putting only their lives on the line they were also risking the lives of patients inside the hospital which is inexcusable IMO and if they're going to do that then the police need to do whatever they have to to clear them.
 
Johan Beaurain said:
The strike could be the start of creating a new fighting spirit amongst the workers. Police whom are shooting at those workers, whom are prepared to put their life on the line to create a better life, should think twice before they pull the trigger. By pulling the trigger they will not only be shooting themselves in the foot, they will also be shooting the country in the foot.
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The days of police shooting at crowds should be long over; and any time I see this makes me sick to my gut.

If any patient dies 'cause of this strike then any striking nurses and doctors should be directly accountable (or Cosatu for asking strategically important people to strike in the first place.)

People riot, be unruly cause they feel their grievances aren't reaching the desired ears in the desired way: police firing on crowds is simply a further failure of government.
 
Clear the way

Syndyre said:
The ones they were shooting at weren't putting only their lives on the line they were also risking the lives of patients inside the hospital which is inexcusable IMO and if they're going to do that then the police need to do whatever they have to to clear them.
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What are you talking about? Were you there when the workers started forming the picket lines? Why must the police clear workers out of the way? Who is going to clear the way for workers to create a better life?
 
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It's about time

Apartheid government might be long gone but apartheid economics is still alive and well. A better life for all is a "Myth" funded with lies that have a 5 year shelf life. As the electorate become more knowledgeable and literate those lies won't have any political market value and the alternative is resistance. It's about time for a more equitable redistribution of the wealth.:rolleyes:
 
It's a plot by the petro-chemical industry to raise petrol and ARV prices.
 
Workers? Have you been to home affairs lately? Those are "workers"?
 
Johan, I'll bet you have a picture of Tony Ehrenreich on your lounge wall at home ;) I thought the medical profession was not allowed to strike - so how come the nurses are toyi-toyiing??

The public sector workers have a reputation for being extremely lazy and incompetent (usually both :D). They will not get much sympathy from hardworking South Africans.
 
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Don't underestimate the power of stupid people in large masses.

Johan Beaurain said:
The strike is bringing the workers together. Workers from all categories supported the strike. Nurses, doctors, administrative staff, maintenance workers, cleaning workers, teachers, they were all there. Many diffrent unions came together in united action during the strike.
Firstly, certain members of the private sector are not allowed to strike as our labouor law clearly states. Without basic services sick people will die. This is common logic no? Secondly I frown upon people denied health care due to unions who are irresponsible and have the negotion skills of a 1 year old. This is not the way forward.

Yes I agree that MP giving themselves 50% raises reeks of corruption, but this is not new to us. This strike is actually causing infighting in workers ranks. There is no unity in acts of barbarism.

As far as the police go...They are the people who should be striking...they never moan and groan about their pathetic pay, yet they put their lives on the line every day.

There is a negative bargaining zone ie. 6% - 12% where an impasse is likely...no inevitable..the government has expanded this by adding benifits to the offer. I think the unions must stop being narrow minded and realise that paying someone more doesn't make him work harder...

If certian sectors ie. Home affairs worked harder as to see a visible difference in the backlog, then yes...they can negotiate...but now they want more money for doing less, because the cost of living has gone up...

Don't underestimate the power of stupid people in large masses.
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Dont the police use rubber bullets during strikes?

Anyways, did this strike end yet? I wanna join as a future fellow worker (for fun)
 
A strike is not fun

Nameite said:
Dont the police use rubber bullets during strikes?

Anyways, did this strike end yet? I wanna join as a future fellow worker (for fun)
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Police probably do use rubber bullets when they shoot at workers. But rubber bullets can hurt as well. Fleeing people can hurt themselves and others in their frenzy to get out of the way.

It is not acceptable that the police should shoot at workers trying to form a picket line. Such workers are merely exercising their democratic right to strike and picket. The management and the police should not intimidate workers who want to exercise their democratic rights.

I am sure that you will be welcomed to join and support the workers in the picket lines to show your support for their demands. But Nameite a strike is not fun. It is very hard work.

The strike will continue tomorrow.
 
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The love affair between the politicians and the bosses

ou812ltd said:
Apartheid government might be long gone but apartheid economics is still alive and well. A better life for all is a "Myth" funded with lies that have a 5 year shelf life. As the electorate become more knowledgeable and literate those lies won't have any political market value and the alternative is resistance. It's about time for a more equitable redistribution of the wealth.:rolleyes:
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After our democracy came about during 1994, workers were not given much on a plate. They are expected to create a better life for all, but the politicians are not facillitating this process very well.

The politicians have embraced the bosses agenda, but the workers do not form a part of the love affair between the bosses and the politicians.

Workers are expected to continue doing the dirty work, for very little in return.

Democracy should not be used as a type of fantasy to fool the workers in such a manner that they are blinded from realising that they are just slaves.
 
TOP STORY
Health gets tough on all staff
03/06/2007 20:22
All health workers must be back at their jobs on Monday or the Department of Health will fire them, it says.
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10 points for the department of health!!!!
 
Johan, what is your interest in this strike, apart from AIDs denialist?

(I thought I would ask another because u hedged my first question ;))
 
I dont care if he has AIDS, eats AIDS, can say AIDS with his butthole or whatever...

He is right, even the white people are striking and thats rare (in SA at least). Its good for the unity of the nation and building solidarity :D
 
This is not as good as you think. The current offer of 6% is some ridiculously huge amount (in rand terms) the gvt will have to pay out every year. 12% will obviously be double that gigantic sum. With all this extra money in circulation and believe me it is really alot, all that we can expect is massive inflation whereby everyone gets screwed including the public servants because their 12% wage increase will be equal to their current salaries in real world terms.
 
You tell good jokes.

Johan Beaurain said:
Police probably do use rubber bullets when they shoot at workers. But rubber bullets can hurt as well. Fleeing people can hurt themselves and others in their frenzy to get out of the way.

It is not acceptable that the police should shoot at workers trying to form a picket line. Such workers are merely exercising their democratic right to strike and picket. The management and the police should not intimidate workers who want to exercise their democratic rights.

I am sure that you will be welcomed to join and support the workers in the picket lines to show your support for their demands. But Nameite a strike is not fun. It is very hard work.

The strike will continue tomorrow.
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For info, rubber bullets are intended to 'hurt', they are intended to dissuade those who are breaking the law to cease their lawlessness without actually fatally wounding anyone although fatalities have occured in the past.

Yes these people (at least some of them) have a legal right to strike but they do not have a legal right to intimidate others, those that want to work and those that want to make use of certain facilities.

It is therefore totally acceptable that Police use whatever force is necessary to stop this practice. Why do you say it is not acceptable? Are you condoning the lawlessness?

The management and police are not intimidating anyone, on the contrary they are operating within the boundaries of the law.

I sympathise with the Police but other public servants and teachers, please, look at government departments and school results as an indication of their dedication to their work.
If they don't like public service, find another job. Only when there is an exodus of these 'skilled' workers out of the public service will measures be put in place to retain their 'skills'.
 
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