cleaning sector to embark on a national strike
The South African Transport & Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) and six other unions have served the Cleaning sector employers with a strike notice after wage talks between the two parties had failed. Over 100 000 workers will embark on a national strike as of Monday, 8th August 2011.
"SATAWU & the seven other unions have served the employers with a 48 hours' notice of intentions to strike as per LRA. We intend to put pressure on cleaning sector employers to return to the negotiating table and offer working conditions and salaries which will improve conditions in this most vulnerable sector. says " Lungile Ntshuntshe , SATAWU Chief Negotiator.
Workers have issued demands including a basic salary to R4 200, a 13th cheque equivalent to a month's salary and 40 hours of work per week amongst other things.
Conditions of employment also remain pathetic.
Workers are not allowed any financial benefits, save for an annual stipend equivalent to one week's pay. The sector is also characterized by physical and verbal abuse. There are other occupational hazards caused by working with strong cleaning chemicals, these may result in medical conditions like asthma.
We are also calling on sympathy strikes from our KZN counterparts in the cleaning sector. They are currently not on strike because they have a separate bargaining forum.
This is a slave-wage industry and our members are justified in calling for an improved offer from the employers. If we are serious about bridging the apartheid wage gap then we must raise the living standards of workers in the cleaning sector.
Statement issued by Lungile Ntshuntshe, Satawu Chief Negotiator & Sector Coordinator, August 4 2011
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