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Parliament workers go on strike
- Thread starter schumi
- Start date
Parliament in lockdown
More at:http://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/parliament-in-lockdown-1.1950547#.VlV-2OKhFhE
More at:http://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/parliament-in-lockdown-1.1950547#.VlV-2OKhFhE
Nehawu to continue negotiations with Parliament
Jenni Evans, News24
Cape Town - The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) said it would continue to meet Parliament's management over the disputed bonus calculations until there was an agreement.
Applauding Nehawu workers' unity, the union's president Mzwandile Makwayiba said they would stay late into Wednesday night, and return again on Thursday if need be.
Parliament's Nehawu members downed tools on November 6 and accused management, led by Secretary Gengezi Mgidlana, of reneging on a March agreement in terms of how bonuses should be structured.
After a morning of singing and picketing, Makwayiba arrived to address the striking workers, who were locked out of the precinct for the day.
He also used the opportunity to hit out at the media.
"I have a particular problem with the media of SA," said Makwayiba.
"That's one message we want to tell media. Please don't twist our statement. You probably don't like Zuma. He is our president, selected by us."
Some of the workers heartily agreed, but others started talking amongst themselves, clicking their tongues in annoyance at him going off topic.
Makwayiba said Nehawu members were not striking because they were in a country run by Zuma, but because they lived in a capitalist country where workers had to fight.
In a shift from the accommodating attitude towards the media during the strike, he said he also wanted to "limit our friends called media into our affairs".
He did not specify which journalists were twisting statements.
Earlier on Wednesday, Parliament opted to lock out striking Nehawu members in a bid to stop further disruptions to the last sittings of the year.
Nehawu's chairperson in Parliament, Sthembiso Tembe, asked workers to go home and return on Thursday for further news.
News24
Source
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/nehawu-to-continue-negotiations-with-parliament-20151125
Jenni Evans, News24
Cape Town - The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) said it would continue to meet Parliament's management over the disputed bonus calculations until there was an agreement.
Applauding Nehawu workers' unity, the union's president Mzwandile Makwayiba said they would stay late into Wednesday night, and return again on Thursday if need be.
Parliament's Nehawu members downed tools on November 6 and accused management, led by Secretary Gengezi Mgidlana, of reneging on a March agreement in terms of how bonuses should be structured.
After a morning of singing and picketing, Makwayiba arrived to address the striking workers, who were locked out of the precinct for the day.
He also used the opportunity to hit out at the media.
"I have a particular problem with the media of SA," said Makwayiba.
"That's one message we want to tell media. Please don't twist our statement. You probably don't like Zuma. He is our president, selected by us."
Some of the workers heartily agreed, but others started talking amongst themselves, clicking their tongues in annoyance at him going off topic.
Makwayiba said Nehawu members were not striking because they were in a country run by Zuma, but because they lived in a capitalist country where workers had to fight.
In a shift from the accommodating attitude towards the media during the strike, he said he also wanted to "limit our friends called media into our affairs".
He did not specify which journalists were twisting statements.
Earlier on Wednesday, Parliament opted to lock out striking Nehawu members in a bid to stop further disruptions to the last sittings of the year.
Nehawu's chairperson in Parliament, Sthembiso Tembe, asked workers to go home and return on Thursday for further news.
News24
Source
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/nehawu-to-continue-negotiations-with-parliament-20151125
The casualties of strike at Parliament
Thulani Gqirana, News24
Cape Town – Reports on oversight visits, the Performing Animals Protection Amendment Bill and the passing of the new National Assembly rules are some of the casualties of the ongoing strike in Parliament.
On Friday, it was business unusual in Parliament with police parked outside and inside, still checking names off a list before allowing "non-striking" workers into the precinct.
This was to ensure that the business of Parliament continued, come hell, high water, or unruly strikers.
This as Parliament scrambled to finish its work before it shuts down on Friday.
As such, Parliament has rushed through some of its work, including bills such as the Division of Revenue bill, and various reports like the one on violence against foreign nationals.
What would normally take a couple of weeks, from being passed in the National Assembly to being approved in the National Council of Provinces, has been done within a space of a week.
Working under the protection of almost a 100 police officers, some outside committee rooms and others stationed outside the public galleries of both the National Assembly and the NCOP, Parliament is determined not to let hundreds of striking workers stand in the way.
On Wednesday, the National Assembly considered the report by the committee probing violence against foreign nationals, referred it to the NCOP, and on Thursday, it was approved by the provinces.
This barely gives MPs a chance to go through what they would be debating, but because of the days lost due to strike, there is not much choice but to do the work - fast, if not efficiently.
Democratic Alliance chief whip John Steenhuisen said this week that due to the ongoing strike and time lost, some bills, including the Division of Revenue Bill, were being rushed through.
He said they were not able to properly interrogate the bills that were now being pushed through before the end of the year in Parliament.
"Members of Parliament are supposed to actually go and make sure money is spent correctly. What we can’t have is a Parliament that is prevented from influencing the budget.
"The legislation provides for Parliament and public representatives to influence the budget. When that is curtailed, that means the people’s voice is being told to quiet down. And that can’t happen."
He said while bills such as the Performing Animals Protection Amendment Bill were moved off the order paper, the fact that the finance bills were going through so late was a big problem.
"Why are they coming to us so late? Why have they been left to the very last minute? Treasury should have brought them faster."
The National Assembly considered the Finance Bill on Wednesday, and the report on the New Development Bank Special Appropriation Bill.
Parliament employees downed tools for the second time this month on Monday November 23 after negotiations over bonuses failed.
The striking workers had suspended their initial strike - which started on November 6 - on Tuesday November 17, but downed tools again when an agreement could not be reached.
They invaded committee rooms and the National Assembly on Tuesday, leading to a shutdown of Parliament, without any business being carried out except in the National Council of Provinces.
Other issues that have been casualties of the strike include:
- The National Assembly rules, which were due to be passed in the house on Wednesday. These include guidelines for dress codes for Members of Parliament.
- Reports on Higher Education oversight visits, including Consideration of Report of PC on Higher Education and Training on Strategic Plan 2015/16 – 2019/20 and Annual Performance Plan 2015/16 of Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) and Transport Education and Training Authority.
- A bill to ensure better working conditions for performing animals has been put on the back burner due to the ongoing strike. This would add anti-cruelty legislation for animals, including performing animals in circuses and movies.
The Congress of the People have blamed the ongoing strike on the leadership of Speaker Baleka Mbete. In a statement on Wednesday, spokesperson Dennis Bloem said the parliamentary workers could not be blamed for downing tools.
"They don't just want to eat plain bread, while their superiors are having cream cakes. The blame must certainly attach to the greed that the ANC continues to manifest. Their greed is spawning a revolution. The centre will not hold."
He said whatever action was taken by Parliament against the protesters, it would only worsen the situation.
"Parliament has been in meltdown with the appointment of Baleka Mbete as Speaker. She and President Zuma have become the wrecking balls who ruined the most prestigious institution in the land."
The African National Congress on Tuesday lamented the ongoing strike and its effect on the work of Parliament.
The office of ANC chief whip Stone Sizani said in a statement that the strike had impacted negatively on the lives of ordinary people.
"The disruption, however, regrettably harms MPs' Constitutional right to perform the duties for which they were elected. The inability of the institution to execute its function and pass important decisions adversely impact on the lives of millions of ordinary South Africans," spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said.
The striking workers hope to have an outcome by Tuesday, December 1.
But for now, their struggle continues.
News24
Source
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/the-casualties-of-strike-at-parliament-20151128
Thulani Gqirana, News24
Cape Town – Reports on oversight visits, the Performing Animals Protection Amendment Bill and the passing of the new National Assembly rules are some of the casualties of the ongoing strike in Parliament.
On Friday, it was business unusual in Parliament with police parked outside and inside, still checking names off a list before allowing "non-striking" workers into the precinct.
This was to ensure that the business of Parliament continued, come hell, high water, or unruly strikers.
This as Parliament scrambled to finish its work before it shuts down on Friday.
As such, Parliament has rushed through some of its work, including bills such as the Division of Revenue bill, and various reports like the one on violence against foreign nationals.
What would normally take a couple of weeks, from being passed in the National Assembly to being approved in the National Council of Provinces, has been done within a space of a week.
Working under the protection of almost a 100 police officers, some outside committee rooms and others stationed outside the public galleries of both the National Assembly and the NCOP, Parliament is determined not to let hundreds of striking workers stand in the way.
On Wednesday, the National Assembly considered the report by the committee probing violence against foreign nationals, referred it to the NCOP, and on Thursday, it was approved by the provinces.
This barely gives MPs a chance to go through what they would be debating, but because of the days lost due to strike, there is not much choice but to do the work - fast, if not efficiently.
Democratic Alliance chief whip John Steenhuisen said this week that due to the ongoing strike and time lost, some bills, including the Division of Revenue Bill, were being rushed through.
He said they were not able to properly interrogate the bills that were now being pushed through before the end of the year in Parliament.
"Members of Parliament are supposed to actually go and make sure money is spent correctly. What we can’t have is a Parliament that is prevented from influencing the budget.
"The legislation provides for Parliament and public representatives to influence the budget. When that is curtailed, that means the people’s voice is being told to quiet down. And that can’t happen."
He said while bills such as the Performing Animals Protection Amendment Bill were moved off the order paper, the fact that the finance bills were going through so late was a big problem.
"Why are they coming to us so late? Why have they been left to the very last minute? Treasury should have brought them faster."
The National Assembly considered the Finance Bill on Wednesday, and the report on the New Development Bank Special Appropriation Bill.
Parliament employees downed tools for the second time this month on Monday November 23 after negotiations over bonuses failed.
The striking workers had suspended their initial strike - which started on November 6 - on Tuesday November 17, but downed tools again when an agreement could not be reached.
They invaded committee rooms and the National Assembly on Tuesday, leading to a shutdown of Parliament, without any business being carried out except in the National Council of Provinces.
Other issues that have been casualties of the strike include:
- The National Assembly rules, which were due to be passed in the house on Wednesday. These include guidelines for dress codes for Members of Parliament.
- Reports on Higher Education oversight visits, including Consideration of Report of PC on Higher Education and Training on Strategic Plan 2015/16 – 2019/20 and Annual Performance Plan 2015/16 of Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) and Transport Education and Training Authority.
- A bill to ensure better working conditions for performing animals has been put on the back burner due to the ongoing strike. This would add anti-cruelty legislation for animals, including performing animals in circuses and movies.
The Congress of the People have blamed the ongoing strike on the leadership of Speaker Baleka Mbete. In a statement on Wednesday, spokesperson Dennis Bloem said the parliamentary workers could not be blamed for downing tools.
"They don't just want to eat plain bread, while their superiors are having cream cakes. The blame must certainly attach to the greed that the ANC continues to manifest. Their greed is spawning a revolution. The centre will not hold."
He said whatever action was taken by Parliament against the protesters, it would only worsen the situation.
"Parliament has been in meltdown with the appointment of Baleka Mbete as Speaker. She and President Zuma have become the wrecking balls who ruined the most prestigious institution in the land."
The African National Congress on Tuesday lamented the ongoing strike and its effect on the work of Parliament.
The office of ANC chief whip Stone Sizani said in a statement that the strike had impacted negatively on the lives of ordinary people.
"The disruption, however, regrettably harms MPs' Constitutional right to perform the duties for which they were elected. The inability of the institution to execute its function and pass important decisions adversely impact on the lives of millions of ordinary South Africans," spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said.
The striking workers hope to have an outcome by Tuesday, December 1.
But for now, their struggle continues.
News24
Source
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/the-casualties-of-strike-at-parliament-20151128
We refuse to be slaves - striking Parliament workers
Thulani Gqirana, News24
Cape Town - Defiant striking Parliament workers on Monday said they refused to be slaves.
Chastising workers who had given up on the strikes and gone back to work on Monday, National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) branch chairperson Sthembiso Tembe encouraged the remaining protesters to “keep strong”.
The strike entered its fourth week on Monday.
Dwindling Nehawu strikers kept their spirits strong by singing, blowing vuvuzelas and challenging the massive police presence keeping them out of the precinct.
'The end is near'
Addressing members outside the gates of Parliament on Monday, Tembe said "the end was near" as national representatives were meeting with Parliament later on Monday.
He condemned those who had gone back to work.
“We are saying to those comrades who are beginning to lose hope, they are cowards. This issue will be resolved very soon. We request you to remain strong.
“Tell those people who are in offices that victory is certain. How are they going to feel when we win and they benefit knowing they sold out?”
Tembe asked the striking workers not to be intimidated by the "no work, no pay" threat, as they would get their money back.
Talking about those who had gone to work, he said the strikers should remind them the struggle was outside.
Committed
“We don’t care how committed they are. We are also committed. But we refuse to be slaves. We refused to be abused by the management of Parliament.”
The branch chairperson assured them that victory was certain, and the matter would be solved once and for all by Tuesday.
The strikers will also be addressed by Cosatu provincial secretary Tony Ehrenreich on Monday.
The strikers are fighting for a change in the bonus payment and have also expressed their displeasure with Parliament’s re-vetting process.
News24
Source
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/we-refuse-to-be-slaves-striking-parliament-workers-20151130
Thulani Gqirana, News24
Cape Town - Defiant striking Parliament workers on Monday said they refused to be slaves.
Chastising workers who had given up on the strikes and gone back to work on Monday, National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) branch chairperson Sthembiso Tembe encouraged the remaining protesters to “keep strong”.
The strike entered its fourth week on Monday.
Dwindling Nehawu strikers kept their spirits strong by singing, blowing vuvuzelas and challenging the massive police presence keeping them out of the precinct.
'The end is near'
Addressing members outside the gates of Parliament on Monday, Tembe said "the end was near" as national representatives were meeting with Parliament later on Monday.
He condemned those who had gone back to work.
“We are saying to those comrades who are beginning to lose hope, they are cowards. This issue will be resolved very soon. We request you to remain strong.
“Tell those people who are in offices that victory is certain. How are they going to feel when we win and they benefit knowing they sold out?”
Tembe asked the striking workers not to be intimidated by the "no work, no pay" threat, as they would get their money back.
Talking about those who had gone to work, he said the strikers should remind them the struggle was outside.
Committed
“We don’t care how committed they are. We are also committed. But we refuse to be slaves. We refused to be abused by the management of Parliament.”
The branch chairperson assured them that victory was certain, and the matter would be solved once and for all by Tuesday.
The strikers will also be addressed by Cosatu provincial secretary Tony Ehrenreich on Monday.
The strikers are fighting for a change in the bonus payment and have also expressed their displeasure with Parliament’s re-vetting process.
News24
Source
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/we-refuse-to-be-slaves-striking-parliament-workers-20151130
W Cape Cosatu throws weight behind strikers at Parliament
Thulani Gqirana, News24
Cape Town – The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) Western Cape has thrown its weight behind the striking parliamentary workers.
A thinly veiled threat to those wanting to return to work has also been sent by National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) branch chairperson Sthembiso Tembe, who urged protesters to arrive early on Tuesday so they could "identify the sell-outs".
Addressing the workers outside Parliament on Monday, Cosatu provincial secretary Tony Ehrenreich issued an ultimatum to the institution.
"I pledge to you that if this matter is not resolved today, no-one will come into Parliament tomorrow. We want to say to all South Africans that what Parliament is doing to Nehawu is unfair and it must be made right."
Ehrenreich said Cosatu workers were ready to join Parliament strikers outside the institution anytime they were needed, adding if workers were exploited inside Parliament, all workers were exploited.
"We must remind this Parliament that we have built this country on the solidarity of our people and we will not be divided by the tactics of management here."
He said ANC representatives inside Parliament needed to remember they did not represent their jackets, but the millions of ANC members across the country.
"They must be reminded about what we stand for in South Africa and if they can’t remember that, then maybe they don’t have a place inside here."
He praised the protesters for standing firm.
The protesters dispersed early on Monday in the hope of getting good news on Tuesday. National Nehawu leaders were scheduled to meet Parliament management on Monday.
News24
Source
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/N...weight-behind-strikers-at-parliament-20151130
Thulani Gqirana, News24
Cape Town – The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) Western Cape has thrown its weight behind the striking parliamentary workers.
A thinly veiled threat to those wanting to return to work has also been sent by National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) branch chairperson Sthembiso Tembe, who urged protesters to arrive early on Tuesday so they could "identify the sell-outs".
Addressing the workers outside Parliament on Monday, Cosatu provincial secretary Tony Ehrenreich issued an ultimatum to the institution.
"I pledge to you that if this matter is not resolved today, no-one will come into Parliament tomorrow. We want to say to all South Africans that what Parliament is doing to Nehawu is unfair and it must be made right."
Ehrenreich said Cosatu workers were ready to join Parliament strikers outside the institution anytime they were needed, adding if workers were exploited inside Parliament, all workers were exploited.
"We must remind this Parliament that we have built this country on the solidarity of our people and we will not be divided by the tactics of management here."
He said ANC representatives inside Parliament needed to remember they did not represent their jackets, but the millions of ANC members across the country.
"They must be reminded about what we stand for in South Africa and if they can’t remember that, then maybe they don’t have a place inside here."
He praised the protesters for standing firm.
The protesters dispersed early on Monday in the hope of getting good news on Tuesday. National Nehawu leaders were scheduled to meet Parliament management on Monday.
News24
Source
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/N...weight-behind-strikers-at-parliament-20151130
New deal on the table for striking Parliament workers
Thulani Gqirana, News24
Cape Town – The ongoing strike at Parliament might come to an end on Wednesday - if workers like what they hear.
Jovial National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union workers danced, sang, and blew vuvuzelas and whistles as they waited to hear a new offer from the institution on Wednesday.
The protestors, who had been stationed outside Parliament since the enforcement of an interdict last week, left their post on Wednesday to go hash out the details of a new offer at a church nearby.
Nehawu president Mzwandile Mkwayiba had been in discussions with Parliament's management for a week, and on Wednesday, a new offer was brought to the table in a closed meeting with workers.
Branch chairperson Sthembiso Tembe on Wednesday said the new offer “was worth considering” without giving any details. But it would be up to the workers to accept it, he said.
Parliament employees have been on strike for almost four weeks, fighting for a change in the payment structure of bonuses.
They have also flagged the re-vetting process currently underway in Parliament as another bone of contention.
News24
Source
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/N...able-for-striking-parliament-workers-20151202
Thulani Gqirana, News24
Cape Town – The ongoing strike at Parliament might come to an end on Wednesday - if workers like what they hear.
Jovial National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union workers danced, sang, and blew vuvuzelas and whistles as they waited to hear a new offer from the institution on Wednesday.
The protestors, who had been stationed outside Parliament since the enforcement of an interdict last week, left their post on Wednesday to go hash out the details of a new offer at a church nearby.
Nehawu president Mzwandile Mkwayiba had been in discussions with Parliament's management for a week, and on Wednesday, a new offer was brought to the table in a closed meeting with workers.
Branch chairperson Sthembiso Tembe on Wednesday said the new offer “was worth considering” without giving any details. But it would be up to the workers to accept it, he said.
Parliament employees have been on strike for almost four weeks, fighting for a change in the payment structure of bonuses.
They have also flagged the re-vetting process currently underway in Parliament as another bone of contention.
News24
Source
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/N...able-for-striking-parliament-workers-20151202
Parliament strike is over - Nehawu
Thulani Gqirana, News24
Cape Town – The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union's strike in Parliament has been called off.
On Wednesday, almost four weeks after workers first downed tools, workers accepted an offer from Parliament, after negotiations with Nehawu's national leadership and presiding officers.
Nehawu branch chairperson Sthembiso Tembe on Wednesday said they had accepted the revised offer from Parliament, with conditions.
"Our acceptance is on condition that no employee should be victimised for having participated in the strike. And the illegal deductions from our salaries in November should be reimbursed."
He said they were ending the strike in good faith, as they hoped their conditions would be acceptable to management.
The staff would be willing to work extra hours to make up for some of the time lost during the strike.
"But we want our money back as soon as possible. Today, tomorrow or December 15 if that is when we get paid."
The union said the strike had been unnecessarily dragged out by Parliament management’s failure to meet the workers halfway.
They accused management of not respecting the union and said there was a lot of work that needed to be done to repair the relationship between them and Parliament secretary Gengezi Mgidlana. Tembe said, should the conditions not be accepted by Parliament, they would be "up in arms".
Workers would get a report back on the formal agreement on Friday, and were ready to return to work on Monday, the union said.
Following news of the new agreement, excited workers sang "Iyeza imali" (the money is coming), before dispersing for the day.
The union said there was still a lot of work to be done, in terms of working conditions and getting rid of outsourcing in Parliament.
The accepted offer is:
- Those who got a 3.1 to 3.5 rating on their work performance will get 3.5% bonus;
- 3.6 to 3.9 will get 4%;
- 4.0 to 4.5 will get 5%;
- 4.6 to 4.9 will get 6%;
- 5 will get 9%.
News24
Source
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/parliament-strike-is-over-nehawu-20151202
Thulani Gqirana, News24
Cape Town – The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union's strike in Parliament has been called off.
On Wednesday, almost four weeks after workers first downed tools, workers accepted an offer from Parliament, after negotiations with Nehawu's national leadership and presiding officers.
Nehawu branch chairperson Sthembiso Tembe on Wednesday said they had accepted the revised offer from Parliament, with conditions.
"Our acceptance is on condition that no employee should be victimised for having participated in the strike. And the illegal deductions from our salaries in November should be reimbursed."
He said they were ending the strike in good faith, as they hoped their conditions would be acceptable to management.
The staff would be willing to work extra hours to make up for some of the time lost during the strike.
"But we want our money back as soon as possible. Today, tomorrow or December 15 if that is when we get paid."
The union said the strike had been unnecessarily dragged out by Parliament management’s failure to meet the workers halfway.
They accused management of not respecting the union and said there was a lot of work that needed to be done to repair the relationship between them and Parliament secretary Gengezi Mgidlana. Tembe said, should the conditions not be accepted by Parliament, they would be "up in arms".
Workers would get a report back on the formal agreement on Friday, and were ready to return to work on Monday, the union said.
Following news of the new agreement, excited workers sang "Iyeza imali" (the money is coming), before dispersing for the day.
The union said there was still a lot of work to be done, in terms of working conditions and getting rid of outsourcing in Parliament.
The accepted offer is:
- Those who got a 3.1 to 3.5 rating on their work performance will get 3.5% bonus;
- 3.6 to 3.9 will get 4%;
- 4.0 to 4.5 will get 5%;
- 4.6 to 4.9 will get 6%;
- 5 will get 9%.
News24
Source
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/parliament-strike-is-over-nehawu-20151202
daveza
Honorary Master
Get stuffed - the strike was illegal so no work no pay.