GPSA Index

A month of turmoil as far as demands and strikes are concerned. Ex-union officials now in government now knows what it feels like when the workforce gets upset.

Last week saw teachers and public sector workers striking with promises of more to come this past week. And Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi (Public Service and Administration Minister) got the brunt of it. Pretoria saw 20 thousand public sector employees boo-ing the minister at the Union Buildings with most schools coming to a standstill. Amongst the demonstrators a typical plackard read "SAPU demands R1200-00 for housing subsidy not R100-00 No!! No!!"

In the end, despite higher demands by the unions government conceded to spend R28 billion of which R1.1 million will go towards salaries. 800 Thousand public servants will receive housing subsidies for the first time.

I am not against strikes (although I can't toyi-toyi) and in this instance government needed a lesson. Looking at the following you'll understand (and probably agree) why I say this -

A police constable earns R3 500 per month, a sergeant R4 371 and an inspector R6 495. A primary school teacher (with diploma) earns R3 000 with a high school teacher (with 22 years experience) around R9 000. That is all before deductions. It is fair to say, in the case of our police force, that absolute dedication is necessary to put your life on the line for that sort of money. No wonder they're struggling to get rid of bribery and corruption in the police.

Government initially offered a 5.5% increase with the unions demanding 7%. Eventually they settled on a 6% salary increase excluding all the additional benefits.

And locally (West-Rand) the traffic department and other safety workers went on a go-slow strike to show their displeasure with management. The Director of Public Safety (one Conell McKay) gets a R10 000 travel allowance yet only uses official vehicles. Then there is the case of temporary workers who's been working for between 5 and 15 years without being appointed as permanent staff. That means, no benefits whatsoever. A bargain for local council.

These might be small issues for the white man. We've enjoyed lots of privileges long before most blacks even understood what a telephone or television was. Does that mean though that the struggle is over after our tenth year of democracy? Not by far. The fat cats at the top now know that what they perceived as "the struggle" is no more. The real struggle has just started, and it's aimed at the majority party ruling this country.

I have respect for the black people in South Africa who can bind together as a union and stand up to be counted. Through mass action the get their voices heard, something us Boers could never do. And still can't (sad to say). Then again, government will probably laugh at any "mass action" by the white as there's so few of us. The possibility of this happening is none, zero, nought.

This is a historical fact.

Weekly View
	23 September 2004
A month of turmoil as far as demands and strikes are concerned. Ex-union officials now in government now knows what it feels like when the workforce gets upset. Last week saw teachers and public sector workers striking with promises of more to come this past week. And Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi (Public Service and Administration Minister) got the brunt of it. Pretoria saw 20 thousand public sector employees boo-ing the minister at the Union Buildings with most schools coming to a standstill. Amongst the demonstrators a typical plackard read "SAPU demands R1200-00 for housing subsidy not R100-00 No!! No!!" In the end, despite higher demands by the unions government conceded to spend R28 billion of which R1.1 million will go towards salaries. 800 Thousand public servants will receive housing subsidies for the first time. I am not against strikes (although I can't toyi-toyi) and in this instance government needed a lesson. Looking at the following you'll understand (and probably agree) why I say this - A police constable earns R3 500 per month, a sergeant R4 371 and an inspector R6 495. A primary school teacher (with diploma) earns R3 000 with a high school teacher (with 22 years experience) around R9 000. That is all before deductions. It is fair to say, in the case of our police force, that absolute dedication is necessary to put your life on the line for that sort of money. No wonder they're struggling to get rid of bribery and corruption in the police. Government initially offered a 5.5% increase with the unions demanding 7%. Eventually they settled on a 6% salary increase excluding all the additional benefits. And locally (West-Rand) the traffic department and other safety workers went on a go-slow strike to show their displeasure with management. The Director of Public Safety (one Conell McKay) gets a R10 000 travel allowance yet only uses official vehicles. Then there is the case of temporary workers who's been working for between 5 and 15 years without being appointed as permanent staff. That means, no benefits whatsoever. A bargain for local council. These might be small issues for the white man. We've enjoyed lots of privileges long before most blacks even understood what a telephone or television was. Does that mean though that the struggle is over after our tenth year of democracy? Not by far. The fat cats at the top now know that what they perceived as "the struggle" is no more. The real struggle has just started, and it's aimed at the majority party ruling this country. I have respect for the black people in South Africa who can bind together as a union and stand up to be counted. Through mass action the get their voices heard, something us Boers could never do. And still can't (sad to say). Then again, government will probably laugh at any "mass action" by the white as there's so few of us. The possibility of this happening is none, zero, nought. This is a historical fact.	Past Views Current Joke Past jokes Gallery Links
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