South Africa: Nehawu Members Go Back to Work

Union ends strike, returns to negotiating table after deal with government

Negotiations between National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) and the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) are continuing today, according to the union.

The Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council announced on Wednesday that the parties had reached an agreement, bringing to an end a nationwide strike.

The Council said in a statement that the settlement included the end of hostilities between all parties and a return to work. Issues arising from the 2022-23 wage dispute would be dealt with as part of the 2023-24 wage negotiations, and a minimum service level agreement would be concluded.

The 2022-23 wages were at the heart of the NEHAWU strike action. NEHAWU refused the 3% wage increase offered by the government for that year and went on strike calling for at least a 10% increase.

Council spokesperson Oomang Parag said the agreement had not been released to the public yet.

But NEHAWU spokesperson Lwazi Nkolonzi said the government had committed to raising its offer on the 2022-23 wage increase.

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU),the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA),and the South African Policing Union (SAPU) were also part of the agreement to return to negotiations.

The strike by NEHAWU started on 6 March and affected clinics and hospitals across the country. Some hospitals shut down.