South Africa: Public service union members to protest nationwide, Dec. 9 /update 6

Event

Unionized public sector workers plan to protest in major cities nationwide on Dec. 9 should the government not agree to their salary increase demands. Protests are planned near the Parliament in Cape Town and the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Johannesburg ahead of the incumbent African National Congress (ANC) conference. Protests are likely in other cities on Dec. 9, though the locations and times have not been disclosed as of writing.

Occasional pickets are possible beside government buildings including public hospitals, ports, and government institutions until Dec. 9. Police will likely maintain heightened security near government buildings. Localized traffic disruptions are likely near any gatherings that materialize and along the protest routes. Clashes may occur if protesters are overly disruptive or police forcibly disperse demonstrators.

Context

This is the latest call for protests in an ongoing salary dispute which began in early November as public service union members are demanding a 10 percent salary increase. The Public Servants Association (PSA) began its strike on Nov. 4.

Another nationwide protest was organized on Nov. 22, after which protestors gave authorities seven days to respond to their demands. The PSA was joined on that day 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 Organization 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, around 62 percent of the public service workforce.

Having failed to reach an agreement on Dec. 2, PSA has announced a third day of nationwide protests on Dec. 9.

Advice

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