31 January 2007
The Head of Department in the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health wishes to
inform and warn all nurses who are taking part in the illegal "strike" that has
been running in some of our hospitals in the province of the consequences of
their illegal action.
The main hospitals that have been affected include Edendale, St Benedictine,
GJ Crookes, and Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospitals. The Edendale and Prince
Mshiyeni hospitals are the only ones where this action continues despite our
warnings that it is an illegal industrial action. At the other hospitals (GJ
Crookes and St Benedictine) the situation has returned to normal with service
delivery having been restored
The Department has consulted the State Attorney and based on the advice of
the State Attorney the department has resolved as follows:
1. The action is illegal in terms of the Labour Relations Act, 1996 as
amended, and the department is within its right to act against those
participating in this action.
2. Employees who have embarked on this illegal action will be dismissed, should
they not return to work within the next 12 hours
3. Currently the "no work no pay" rule is being enforced
4. Further disciplinary and criminal actions will be taken against those
employees who caused disruptions to the smooth running of the hospitals
It must be noted that the matters that these workers are raising do not fall
within the competency of the Provincial Department of Health and as such their
issues have been referred to the National Bargaining Council. The department
wishes to remind all employees that health services fall within the category of
essential services in terms of the Labour Relations Act, as amended. Patient
care and service delivery is being seriously compromised by their continued
illegal action.
For more information please contact:
Mr Leon Mbangwa
Cell: 083 459 8695
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
31 January 2007
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kznhealth.gov.za/)
