The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] in Gauteng Province is currently embarking on a strike action at the South African Bureau of Standards [SABS] which commenced today. The strike comes as a result of a deadlock over the salary harmonization process which took place as a result of the SABS migrating into the new structure. The SABS has unilaterally changed the terms and conditions of employment without consulting the union. The union declared a dispute on the 11th May 2024 after the employer refused to halt the harmonization process. A conciliation process was convened, however it yielded no results and as a result a strike certificate was issued. The employer was served with a strike notice on the 05th July 2024.

The employer has demonstrated that they care less about workers. The employer has unilaterally changed the conditions of employment without consulting the union and further went on to implement a new payment structure. The management of SABS has reversed the additional benefits e.g. Housing allowance, medical aid and 13th cheque. The SABS has continuously undermined and attacked collective bargaining processes and refuses to implement agreements in place at the workplace. We are embarking on an industrial action and the strike action will continue indefinitely until our demands are successfully met by the employer.

We have placed the following demands to employer:
• The SABS to halt any further unilateral changes to the current payment system until such consultations have been satisfactorily concluded and mediated by an external party.
• The SABS to retain the current payment system, which was agreed upon during collective bargaining forums, due to its proven effectiveness and efficiency.
• The SABS to maintain employee benefits such as medical aid, housing subsidy, and the 13th cheque that are currently in place.
• The SABS to fairly place employees absorbed from their 12-24 months graduate program during the organisational review process at the minimum of the approved salary scale as per recommendations from the service provider, Emergence Growth.
• The SABS to place all employees placed through the organisational review to the midpoint of the salary scale, as recommended by the service provider, Emergence Growth.
• The SABS to comply with the approved salary scales and maintain the agreed upon Terms and Conditions of Employment.

Workers are aggrieved by the decision to implement the harmonization process without demonstrating its potential impact or consulting with the union. The management of SABS has disregarded the rights and interests of our members. These actions undermine the principles of fair treatment and consultation, exacerbating the concerns raised on how management handles of workplace matters. Workers are saying enough is enough and refuse to stand idle whilst the conditions of employment are unilaterally changed.