Hint at end to Nehawu strike

Published Nov 26, 2015

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Siyabonga Mkhwanazi

Two senior leaders in Parliament – the Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli and National Council of Provinces (NCOP) chairperson Thandi Modise – have hinted at the end of the strike by workers today.

This was also indicated by the leaders of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) in Parliament to their members yesterday.

Modise told President Jacob Zuma in the NCOP, during the latter’s annual address to the Chamber yesterday, that they expected Parliament to return to business next week.

This followed a three-week long strike by hundreds of Nehawu members in Parliament over performance bonuses.

Nehawu national president Mzwandile Makwayiba and Speaker Baleka Mbete have been discussing the matter over the last three days.

Nehawu leaders told their members yesterday that the deal was closed, but a full picture would be given today.

Modise said there was a glimmer of hope. “We are in the middle of a strike, we are ensuring that the business of Parliament is not interrupted. We are hoping that by next week things will be back to normal,” she told the House.

Parliament has tightened security following disruptions over the past few days.

Tsenoli told the National Assembly, during the adoption of the medium-term budget, that negotiations were ongoing between the two sides.

“The compensation of employees is a responsibility that we have as Parliament. It is incorrect to say that Parliament is refusing to pay its employees.”

This followed the EFF saying that Parliament was refusing to accede to the demands of its workers, yet it had signed an agreement with the union.

Nehawu branch chairperson in Parliament Sthembiso Tembe earlier told striking members, who have been blocked from protesting inside the precinct, that they were close to a deal.

He urged their members to remain confident.

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