UNITE AGAINST CORRUPTION PROTEST ACTION GOES AHEAD ON 30 SEPTEMBER
Two days ahead of the first in a series of protest actions against corruption in South Africa on 30 September in Pretoria, Cape Town, and other cities around the country, the Unite Against Corruption coalition today released a statement in response to NEDLAC’s decision not to grant us our right to have a protected strike action for workers on 30 September but on a later date, and committed that the march would continue despite this attempt.
NUMSA, on behalf of all unions, applied well in advance for permission from NEDLAC’s Section 77 committee to hold a protected strike on 30 September. NUMSA followed the correct procedure for securing permission. At the meeting on 25 September, a certificate was granted, which meant that any strike action could only take place starting 14 days from this date.
This attempt by NEDLAC to frustrate the right of workers to strike will not hamper plans or the mobilisation of union members to exercise their legitimate right to march against corruption. It increases pressure on employers to lend their support to this nationwide protest against the widespread corruption that results in far greater losses to the country and the economy than a day of protest action. However, now that NEDLAC have taken this undemocratic maneuver it means the strike action is unprotected. Therefore, we are not calling on workers to embark on a strike on Wednesday unless they have made arrangements with their employers.
NUMSA has taken all steps necessary to inform its members of the situation, and calls on all those who will not be working - on night-shift, etc to join the marches on 30 September. The union has today, 28 September, issued a strike notice and the national strike against corruption will now take place on 14 October 2015. Now is the time for all workers in the private and public sector to lead the struggle against rampant corruption.
The marches on 30 September are the first in a series of anti-corruption events planned by the coalition. In accordance with the Section 77 certificate, a second action, which will be a protected strike, supported by Unite Against Corruption will take place on 14 October.