Court halts Nelson Mandela Bay clinics’ strikes
Rolling strike action led to closure of numerous clinics
The Eastern Cape health department has obtained an interim court interdict against trade unions. The court order temporarily bars their members from furthering an unprotected strike at clinics in Nelson Mandela Bay.
This follows weeks of rolling strike action which led to the closure of numerous clinics in the Bay.
Health department spokesperson Mkhululi Ndamase said the department approached the labour court in Gqeberha to interdict members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union, Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA, the Health & Other Services Personnel Trade Union of SA, the Public Servants Association of SA, National Union of Public Service & Allied Workers, Young Nurses Indaba Trade Union and Public and Allied Workers Union of SA from striking.
The interim interdict restrained the unions against: Participating in the unprotected strike or any conduct in the contemplation or in furtherance of the strike, intimidation or inciting others to participate in the unprotected strike; making any threats, intimidating or inciting anyone; unlawful blocking or obstructing access to health facilities; causing any harm or damage to the property of the department, employees, representatives, patients or visitors; and interfering with the proper functioning of health facilities or properties.
Health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth welcomed the interdict. “We are happy that the court has granted us the interim interdict because our people are being deprived of health services.
“We remain committed to resolving the issues raised by the unions but embarking on unprotected strike action, illegally closing our facilities and allegedly threatening and intimidating non-striking workers and agency nurses cannot be tolerated.
“We condemn such action. We want to once again reassure the people of Nelson Mandela Bay that we will continue doing everything to ensure we restore services,” Meth said.
Services at healthcare facilities in Motherwell, KwaZakhele, New Brighton, the “Old Ibhayi” area as well as Algoa Park, KwaMagxaki and Zwide, were affected by the strike this past week.
The department has committed to filling the posts of funded vacancies to the tune of more than R700m budgeted for in the 2022/23 financial year.
The no work, no pay principle will apply to those who ignore the court interdict.