NEWS & ANALYSIS

NEHAWU gives NWest task team 24 hrs to respond to demands

Union says its members will down tools indefinitely if no response is received

NEHAWU gives North West task team 24 hours to respond to demands

17 May 2018

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) on Wednesday night said it had given the inter-ministerial task team for the North West 24 hours to respond to its demands.

National spokesperson Khaya Xaba said if the task team failed to positively respond to the union's list of grievances, its members would down tools indefinitely.

"Today we submitted a memorandum to the task team and we have given them 24 hours to respond positively to our demands. If they do not respond we will embark on a two-day stay away in the entire public service in the province," said Xaba.

He said if that did not change the situation, members would engage other provinces to down tools in solidarity with the North West province.

"Some of the issues that we want them to deal with are outsourcing, corruption, unpaid bonuses, overtime as well as occupational health and safety issues in the work place," he said.

Health services in the province were disrupted after NEHAWU members embarked on a strike two months ago.

News24 previously reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa had decided to place the North West health department under the administration of the national government in the wake of the protests.

He appointed a team – under the leadership of Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma – to get to the bottom of the crisis that has been exacerbated by protests calling for the removal of Premier Supra Mahumapelo.

News24