File
Striking members of the National Education, Health, and Allied Workers Union are going back to the Labour Court to overturn the interdict granted to the government to stop the current industrial action by union members countrywide.
Nehawu is engaged in an ongoing wage dispute after the government unilaterally implemented a 3% wage increase when employees are seeking a 10%.
Eastern Cape Provincial Secretary, Mlungiseleli Ncapayi, says the union, at a national level, has turned to the Labour Court to withdraw the interdict granted to the government to stop the industrial action.
He says the strike is continuing throughout the province.
"We are trying to put pressure on the employer to come to the negotiations table so they can reconsider and we are very clear that we are not looking back until Government concedes to our 10%," he said.
Ncapayi has also called for peaceful action from union members.
"Anything that has got to do with violence, we are against it, and we denounce at Nehawu because that is not what we are doing," he added.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape Department of Health has condemned alleged acts of violence and intimidation of workers by striking Nehawu members.
The MEC for Health, Nomakhosazana Meth, says four of the five trade unions are not supporting the strike, adding that there are concerns that their members are being intimidated and denied access to their workplaces.
Meth says any form of intimidation or violence directed at non-striking health workers, patients, and infrastructure is condemned in the strongest terms.
"We understand that workers have a right to demonstrate, but when they do, they cannot infringe on the rights of others. We cannot afford to have a situation where the lives of patients and staff not on strike are in danger as a result of the action of those who have embarked on this action," she said.
Meth also said that the no work no pay principle will apply to all officials participating in the strike action.
The Department reiterated that there are services that are being rendered by non-striking workers at healthcare facilities.
"The department will continue to engage NEHAWU leadership about such incidents," Meth added.
