SEBOKENG. – The offices of the Department of Social Development in Sebokeng were closed on Tuesday morning after employees went on strike and blockaded the gates and other entrances.
The National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU), announced to its members that it was embarking on a national strike.
According to a letter distributed by NEHAWU to its members, all employees are requested to down tools for a total and indefinite shutdown until their demands are met.
Negotiations on the demands apparently came to a halt on Monday.
Demands declared by NEHAWU are as follows.
1. Placement of Assistant Community Development Practitioners (Masupatsela cadres) on the correct salary level
2. Entry level for support staff from salary level 5 – 6
3. Abolishment salary level 2 and 3 for support staff
4. Immediate roll-out of uniform for cleaners and security officers
5. The review of OSD for Social Service Professionals and Occupations
6. The introduction of rural allowance
7. The provision of tools of trade
8. The absorption of unemployed social workers on a permanent basis
9. The permanent employment of all employees who are under the Gender Based Violence Command Centre
10. Improved conditions of service for all employees in the Department of Social Development
11. The implementation of the 2015 Social Work Indaba resolutions
12. The insourcing of all Public Secure Care Centres outsourced to Bosasa
13. The protection and respect of our noble council for Social Service Professionals.
“As a result of the collapsed negotiations on Monday, the leadership in all layers of the national union is deployed on the ground at picket lines to intensify the strike
.
“We are now in the process of consulting our members in SASSA over their long-standing demands that have not been addressed by the employer in the same department.
“Our members are already calling for a total indefinite shutdown of SASSA and the union is considering this option.
“We are now calling for all our members and all social development employees to come out in support of their legitimate demands,” NEHAWU said in a statement.
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