
EFF, Saftu, PAC declare shutdown a success
There was no looting or any of the public violence that occupied media attention in the build-up to the shutdown.
There was no looting or any of the public violence that occupied media attention in the build-up to the shutdown.
Saftu’s support for an action led by the EFF threatens to sow division within the federation say critics.
Saftu says the EFF has agreed on the mobilisation of the broadest possible front of working class formations for an effective National Shutdown.
The finance minister would deny in his speech that he was presenting an austerity budget, but confirmed the expectations of public sector unions and the unemployed who marched in Cape Town against budget austerity.
The united front last year of public sector unions has fractured, with Fedusa unions planning on returning to the negotiating table while Cosatu and Saftu-affiliated unions are readying for strike action.
The unions have given the government seven days to respond positively to their memorandum or face further strike action.
As public sector unions embarked on a strike on Tuesday in major centres around the country, they have threatened a full-blown strike on the 2nd of December if their demands are not met.
The public sector unions are planning a nationwide strike on Tuesday next week that will involve essential workers.
The unity between the two labour federations was put to the test in mass marches in Cape Town, Pretoria and East London during the general strike on Wednesday.
Cosatu and Saftu have agreed to hold joint demonstrations during the general strike on Wednesday, 24 August.
Police officers prevented all marches that were going to the SONA venue on Thursday.
The dairy foods company is undergoing restructuring by it’s new owners, the Israeli-led consortium Milco, which has culled 2,000 jobs with 1,500 more under threat.