Mail & Guardian *Cosatu calls on workers to intensify strike action* *Sapa, Mail & Guardian, Johannesburg, 24 August 2010*The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has threatened a total shutdown of the economy with a secondary strike if the government fails to settle its dispute with public-service workers by next Thursday.
"We call on all workers to intensify their action. Every Cosatu-affiliated union must on August 26 submit notice to their employers to embark on a secondary strike," general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said on Tuesday, referring to a seven-day notice period
"So by next Thursday if the current strike is not resolved, the entire economy of South Africa will be shut down."
Vavi also noted the government's comments on the 8,5% wage offer.Until Monday, the government said it was offering a 7% increase, but government spokesperson Themba Maseko told reporters this was in "real terms" actually 8,5% -- a mere tenth of a percent short of what unions wanted. This was because the increase offer was bolstered by a 1,5% pay progression.
Vavi said the government knew the arithmetic was misleading and an attempt to confuse the public.
"No 8,5% wage offer was tabled. The government has been negotiating with the media rather than unions," he said.
"This is pure misinformation aimed at confusing the public."The federation urged employers to refrain from confusing the public and stressed that workers were not deterred from their 8,6%.
*From: http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-08-24-cosatu-calls-on-workers-to-intensify-strike-action*
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