Cosatu has threatened to strike if social issues such as gang violence, education, transport and housing are not addressed.
Cosatu provincial secretary Tony Ehrenreich, pictured, said health, education, crime and transport were the main reasons for the proposed strike.
The number of people being killed in townships was a national crisis.
“We can’t sit quietly while communities are wiped out. Strikes would force the government to intervene in these issues.
“If solutions are not found we will strike.”
Ehrenreich said the planned strikes would start as soon as next month.
He warned of further provincial strikes in the agriculture sector. Farming towns across the province came to a standstill between November and February during a workers’ protest against poor wages.
Ehrenreich added that the claims of an Adcorp economist saying that labour productivity had declined by 41 percent since 1993 were in direct conflict with the South African Reserve Bank’s figures.
“The Reserve Bank’s figures say labour productivity has increased by 70 percent since 1994.
“These assumptions in the economy are fundamental and will lead to conflict and strikes if clarity is not sought.”
Ehrenreich added that the most urgent issue now was no doubt the crisis in the townships where people were being “slaughtered” by gangs.
Barry Rubushe, an organiser with the South African Democratic Teachers Union, said the union was disappointed that President Jacob Zuma had decided not to sack Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga.
Thembela Dabuka, from the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union, said the union planned a strike at SAA today.
“Last year there was a 6 percent (pay) increase at SAA, which is the same as the inflation rate.
“We are negotiating and if it (our demands) is not accepted our members and the ground staff and crew will strike at SAA.” - The Argus
