Sowetan *Sympathy strike still on cards* *Vusi Xaba and Canaan Mdletshe, Sowetan, Johannesburg, 30 August 2010*THE threat of a sympathy strike in support of public service workers on Thursday is gaining momentum, with Cosatu-affiliated unions reiterating their unequivocal backing yesterday.
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said its 320000 members were ready to join 1,3 million public service servants who had been on strike for two weeks.
NUM spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said the only thing that would avert the looming chaos was for the government to meet workers' demands.
"The government must give workers the 8,6 percent they demand and a R1000 and housing allowance," he said.
NUM organises in the mining, construction and energy sectors."That is the heartbeat of the economy. The strike will hit at the heartbeat of the economy," he said.
Cosatu chief negotiator and South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) general secretary Mugwena Maluleka said they were waiting for the government to call them to a bargaining council meeting to present an improved offer.
Three of the South African Municipal Workers Union provinces have confirmed joining the secondary strike.
"Gauteng, North West and Eastern Cape have declared full support for public servants," Samwu's Tahir Sema said.
Cosatu has about 2million members. If they all join the secondary strike, the country's economy will come to a standstill.
Government spokesperson Themba Maseko said he was not aware of a scheduled bargaining council meeting. He said the government was still hopeful that a solution could be found soon.
National Police Minister, Nathi Mthethwa yesterday lashed out at the striking public servants, saying they had no right to disrupt those who wanted to work.
*From: http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2010/08/30/sympathy-strike-still-on-cards*
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