South Africa: Unionized public sector workers to strike nationwide Nov. 22 /update 3

Event

Unionized public sector workers plan to strike nationwide on Nov. 22. Protests are likely in several major cities nationwide, though the locations and times have not been disclosed as of writing. The call to strike follows a collapse of negotiations between authorities and trade unions and the elapsing of a seven-day ultimatum to respond to the calls for a 10 percent salary increase.

Daily pickets will likely continue beside government buildings including public hospitals, ports, and government institutions until Nov. 22. Police will likely maintain heightened security near governmental buildings. Localized traffic disruptions are likely near any gatherings that materialize and along the protest routes. Clashes may also occur if protesters are overly disruptive or police forcibly disperse demonstrators.

Context

The Public Servants Association (PSA) is joined by the National Education, Health, and Allied Workers' Union (NEHAWU), the Police, Prisons and Civil Rights Union (POPCRY), the South Africa Policing Union (SAPU), the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA), the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW) and the Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (HOSPERSA). They collectively represent some 800,000 public servants.

As part of its effort to press the government to agree to a larger pay increase, the PSA had initially launched a series of lunch-hour pickets in various parts of the country Nov. 4 before moving to a nationwide strike and a series of protests in major cities on Nov. 10.

Advice

Plan for public services and transport disruptions. Reconfirm business meetings with affected government agencies. Avoid the demonstration. Allow additional time to reach destinations near the march route. If violence breaks out, leave the area immediately and take shelter in a secure, nongovernmental building.