1. i think it is important for justice movements and groups to keep aware about developements such as these, as the working class is the only force that could bring about justice and sustainability in a coherent way. 2. I think we must find space to reflect on such developments in developing political clarity, unity and militant agitation around these struggles. 3. parents and beneficiaries of public services form majority of the very same working class, thus public services mass action is their struggle too even if now they are not striking. 3. I think we should support the working class struggles as they are our struggles too, rather than complaining about worker's demands without understand them. 4. The way media reports on this is some times bias to concerned complaining parents about how strikes are inconviniencing them and how disrupted is the schooling and teaching, without talking to a non striking worker who shares and understand the grievences of workers and support them. 5. I think workers unions and federations must adequately engage the none striking working class organisations and unions to get solidarity and support from, including communities. 6. i don't expect people who have never participated in mass mobilisation or who have no appritiation of the rule of mass mobilisation and action will agree with this, but facts about democracy works here by fighting for what you believe. 7. Infact learners should not be rooming around the streets but rather engaging on the issues adversely impacting on their education, lives and the future and supporting their striking parents, brothers, sisters, cdes, fellow country woman/man, because is the same struggle.
What are your views? Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:08:36 +0200 Subject: [YCLSA Discussion] Breaking News: South African state workers reject offer, plan strike From: [email protected] To: [email protected] South African state workers reject offer, plan strike http://af.reuters.com/article/southAfricaNews/idAFLDE67G10X20100817 * Unions plan strike from Wednesday * Pressure mounts on government to reach deal By Peroshni Govender JOHANNESBURG, Aug 17 (Reuters) - South African public sector unions on Tuesday rejected a revised government wage offer and said they planned a mass strike from Wednesday that will bring public services to a halt in Africa's largest economy. Analysts however expect a deal to be reached before a coalition of unions, representing 1.3 million civil servants including police, customs officials, teachers and health workers, stages a prolonged stoppage that could deal a blow to commerce and trade. "From tomorrow there will be a total shutdown and the beginning of a protracted strike and we will only stop when government responds," said Thobile Ntola, president of the SADTU teachers union, a part of the labour coalition. The strike threat by unions in the country's largest umbrella labour group COSATU increases pressure on the government to improve its terms or risk what could be the worst strike by state workers for three years. Economists worry that whatever deal is reached will swell state spending as the government tries to bring its deficit down from 6.7 percent of gross domestic product. Last week the government offered to increase the monthly housing allowance to 700 rand ($95) from a previous offer of 630 rand, but refused to increase its wage rise offer of 7 percent. The housing allowance alone would be equal to about 1 percent of government spending. The unions are demanding an 8.6 percent pay rise, more than double the inflation rate, and 1,000 rand for housing. (Writing by Jon Herskovitz; editing by Giles Elgood) -- [email protected] or [email protected]. You will find me on both e-mails cell:0789228959 tell:021-387-0022/3 fax:086 604 1369 "Sometimes, if you wear suits for too long, it changes your ideology." - Joe Slovo -- 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] . -- 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] .
