SAMA Marches * Date: 29 March 2009 [Friday] * Time: 11h00 * Venues: Pretoria, Durban and Bisho (details below) The South African Medical Association (SAMA) will be marching in Pretoria, Durban and Bisho on Friday 29 May 2009, to protest and demand action on the challenges they face both in the public and private health sectors. Pretoria march route: Assembly in Brown Street @ 11h00, March down Prinsloo Street to Department of Health Fedlife Building. Parking areas for Pretoria * Sammy marks Square * State Theatre * Absa Bank * Corner Van der Walt and Pretorius * Sanlam Centre Wear the black arm bands on your right arm as it is required by the Pretoria Metro Police. KZN march route: Assemble in Botha Gardens @ 11h00 March long West Street to Durban City Hall Eastern Cape Bisho Route: Assemble in Pallo Avenue @ 11h00 March to Department of Health Shukumbana Building Today's SAMA media release: Doctors' demands are not arbitrary Adri van Eeden, 27 May 2009 The SA Medical Association (SAMA) rejects the statements made in the media by Deputy Director-General in the Department of Health, Dr Percy Mahlati. Speaking on the OSD request for a 50% increase on public sector doctors' salaries, Dr Mahlati stated that "such a demand is arbitrary, condones a one-size fits all approach and will not address the disparities that the OSD seeks to address". SAMA would like to emphasise that our figures have been based on careful research performed by an independent organisation, which has also advised other professions on the real value of their services. This data was supplied to the then Minister of Health Barbara Hogan and Dr Mahlati. That the Department now finds it necessary to criticize these figures is regarded with outrage by SAMA, when in the midst of the bargaining process. No process can be started and then continued without a sound base, and this is precisely why these figures have been made available to the Department. SAMA takes exception to Dr Mahlati's statement of "It is now questionable whether SAMA really wants this matter resolved or not". SAMA's commitment has been repeatedly demonstrated by the fact that despite the OSD matter having dragged on for the best part of two years, it has consistently - through interaction with the Department and other stakeholders - persisted in obtaining adequate remuneration and better working conditions for our public sector doctors. We hope that the Department commits itself to a substantial offer which will attest to its commitment to the negotiating process and improve doctors' remuneration. SAMA continues to support the planned march in Pretoria on Friday. The fact that doctors are angry is precisely because of these type of comments made by the Department, instead of focussing on speeding up the process around the OSD. SAMA wants to emphasise that the march on 29 May could lead to further legitimate protest actions by SAMA members if doctors' demands are not met. ENDS Issued by the Corporate Communication Unit of the South African Medical Association Enquiries: Corporate Communication, Adri van Eeden 012 481 2042 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] . -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
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