COSATU BACKS STRIKING ANC EMPLOYEES
COSATU has thrown its weight behind ANC workers, who have embarked on indefinite strike action following non-payment of salaries.
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) says they have instituted a litigation process to ensure that members get their money.
A crowdfunding initiative was launched by the ANC, with the aim to raise funds that might assist them to pay disgruntled employees who have not yet received their salaries.
In June, disgruntled workers took to the streets after staff members were informed in April that their salaries would be late.
Last week the party’s general manager, Febe Potgieter, indicated that the party’s finances were not in good enough shape to have them paid.
Salaries for July and August were also not paid out.
At the weekend, the party shared a poster on social media platforms, with banking details, asking ordinary members of the public and ANC supporters to make contributions to a Nedbank account.
Workers downed tools on Thursday and, as indicated by ANC’s staff representative chair Mvusi Mdala, workers will not return to work until their demands are met.
The ruling party’s financial woes started in December 2019, and the situation worsened in April and June this year.
Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said the federation union expects the ANC to be exemplary in how it conducts itself.
“Those workers are not volunteers. “They have contracts which they’ve signed. They (the workers) keep their end of the bargain and the ANC has to honour that.
“Our union, Nehawu, is assisting those workers on how to facilitate their fight. Nehawu has made it very clear that they’ve been trying to engage with the ANC for some time and also indicated that they will explore legal avenues if possible,” said Pamla.
Nehawu’s acting spokesperson Lwazi Nkolonzi said that with the litigation process the intention is to look at valuables, such as properties, cars and others financial obligations, which can be translated to funds, to ensure that workers get what is owed to them.
“As Nehawu, we find it totally unacceptable in how the ANC has treated these workers.
“How does the ANC expect these workers and their families to survive during these tough economic times that have brought economic hardship to all workers?”
“The late payment of salaries has resulted in these workers being on the verge of losing all that they have worked for…
“They face a stark reality of banks/ financial institutions repossessing their cars, homes, etc, as a result of defaulting on payments – brought about by the failure to pay salaries on time by the ANC,” said Nkolonzi.
The ANC’s national spokesperson, Pule Mabe, said that since the media has reported about the cash flow difficulties experienced by the movement, the treasurer-general has been inundated by members and supporters who want to lend a helping hand.
“We are hopeful that the plan will generate active interest in the sustenance of the organisation.
“We are encouraged by the initial response and we hope to continue to grow participation.
“The Political Party Fund Act requires declaration of all donations of R100 000 and above, and the ANC will declare such donations to the IEC,” said Mabe.