The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) commends members of our affiliate the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) at the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), for valiantly fighting for their cause and not surrendering.

NEHAWU members at SABS have been on strike for nearly two weeks, protesting the restructuring process at the entity. Workers are unhappy that the employer unilaterally changed the payment and employment structure at the company without consultation. They are convinced these changes will have a negative impact their salaries and benefits. The strike is said to have resulted in backlogs in product certifications across the country.

Yesterday saw leaders of our militant affiliate meet with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, in the hopes that he would iron out the impasse between the union and employer, as SABS falls under his purview. The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration has also tried to intervene, but workers remain on the picket line.

Never known to surrender when defending workers’ hard-won rights, NEHAWU will march to Minister Tau’s offices if the stalemate is not resolved.

COSATU stands firmly behind the workers at SABS and NEHAWU and will not hesitate to mobilise other workers to join them on the picket line should the need arise.

Issued by COSATU

For further comment please contact:

Zanele Sabela(COSATU National Spokesperson)

Cell: 079 287 5788

Email: zanele@cosatu.org.za