Sadtu vows to turn up the heat

SADTU has threatened to ratchet up the pressure on the Department of Basic Education this week, despite labour analysts warning that the basis of the industrial action was precarious.

THE South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) has threatened to ratchet up the pressure on the Department of Basic Education this week, despite labour analysts warning that the basis of their industrial action was precarious at best.

Last week Sadtu members began a work-to-rule campaign — teachers stayed in class for seven hours a day, but performed no extra duties such as marking, hosting departmental events or attending workshops.

Sadtu’s grievance is the remuneration paid to teachers for setting and marking matric exam papers.

Democratic Alliance (DA) basic education spokeswoman Annette Lovemore at the time accused Sadtu of in effect embarking on an illegal strike by withholding labour. Sadtu responded that there would be no disruptions to teaching, but insisted members would work to rule.

Labour analysts questioned Sadtu’s ability to justify the campaign, warning that the union’s actions may be viewed as an unprotected strike.

From tomorrow, union members plan to picket outside schools.

Later this month union members plan to march to the Union Buildings and Parliament.

Labour analyst Tony Healy yesterday said even working to rule constituted a strike. Under the definition of a strike, a go-slow could not be viewed as a separate process from a full strike. Mr Healy said obtaining an interdict against Sadtu should be simple. None of the reasons it gave for the campaign seemed to affect conditions of service, and could therefore constitute a reason to strike.

Department spokesman Panyaza Lesufi said it would be “premature” to comment on how the department would move to help end the union’s action. But the department was concerned that Sadtu’s escalation could lead to intimidation of teachers who did not belong to the union, he said.

Mr Lesufi said district officials had been tasked with assessing the effect of Sadtu’s actions urgently.

Sadtu Western Cape secretary Jonovan Rustin said the union had resolved that picketing would take place outside of school hours, and would be peaceful.

Mr Rustin said, however, that the march to Parliament would be during school hours and that the department must “do what it must”.