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A STRIKE BECOMES A REAL POSIBILITY AT SANDTON MEDI-CLINIC
MEDIA STATEMENT
Tuesday, 07 October 2014
DENOSA Gauteng is mobilising and calling for unity of its members at the private health care provider, Sandton Medi Clinic, to be ready for a looming industrial action over the nurses wage negotiations for the year 2014, following failure to resolve wage dispute between the two parties through a formal conciliation process.
On 1 October, DENOSA was issued with the Certificate to strike by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), granting it the full right to strike over its demand of 11.9% wage increase for the 2015 financial year.
As a professional and progressive trade union we know that in the Health Sector strikes are a last resort and an unneccessary action and a huge impediment on the sick and vulnerable who needs urgent medical attention. However, this action is not an easy one to arrive at especially considering that the demands of our members are very reasonable. It is our responsibility to defend the bargaining rights of our members especially when the employer, in this case Sandton Medi Clinic is using bullying tactics rather than negotiating in good faith.
We are consulting our members to ensure that their mandate is clear and unambigous regarding the latest developments. DENOSA would like to warn the employer not to use the welfare of the patients as shields for their own selfishness because we will not hesitate to withdraw our labour since we are at cul de sac, as the facility enjoys no esssential service status. It is not the issue of lack of affordability by the employer that we are at this juncture but it is mere power play. And therefore we urge Sandton Medi Clinic to be realistic and demonstrate serious care and concern for their patients and the workforce.
This is a point where Sandton Mediclinic should demonstrate whether it will use their sick and vulnerable clientele as a pawn in its power play because this is not about the money or will come to the table realistic and in good faith.
The Union demands are as follow:
- 11.9% increase and Sandton Medi clinic is offering 7.2% average increase.
- Allowances CPI + 1.5% increase
During the Conciliation meeting on the 01 October 2014 at the CCMA, DENOSA demanded the employer to table a minimum of 8.6% for our members to consider and the employer gave a final offer of 7.51% which was rejected.
DENOSA is willing to engage constructively with the employer and is reluctant to head for a strike and believes there is a dire need to resolve these issues amicably.
END
Issued by Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) Gauteng
For more information contact:
Bongane Sipho Qankase Chief Negotiator Private Sector
Cell : 082 776 0981
Email : siphoq@denosa.org.za
Web : www.denosa.org.za
