Issued by: Department of Health
10 OCTOBER 1995
The National Department of Health has been informed that some nurses in the Free State are planning to take action in sympathy with striking nurses in the Eastern Cape. While the Department sympathise with the poor working conditions of nurses, it cannot condone any strike action. The Department would therefore like to inform nurses that this will be an illegal strike and swift action will be taken.
The government has delivered its proposal to the Central Bargaining Chamber and has facilitated the participation of nurses in the negotiation for better working conditions.
The nurses in the Eastern Cape who are being dismissed, ignored the action taken by the government to improve their conditions of service. Moreover the lives of patients are in danger as a result of their strike. We therefore find it surprising that nurses would want to participate in any strike activity in sympathy with these strikers.
In the event of any strike activity legal action will be taken immediately, this include possible interdicts against the strike.
Enquiries: Dr O Shisana Tel: 021 - 461 4362