Union to march to lab HQ over pay

Johannesburg - Striking laboratory workers will march in Sandringham, Johannesburg, on Wednesday to hand over a list of demands, a union spokesperson said. 

"We will be marching to the headquarters of the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) at noon to hand over our memorandum," said National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) spokesperson Sizwe Pamla. 

"Our demands remain the same and we still have no feedback from the employer." 

About 1 500 workers across the country went on strike from Monday over pay. 

A notice of intention to strike was served on the NHLS on Thursday. Negotiations had been ongoing since April. 

Nehawu wanted a 9.5% increase and R2 300 monthly medical aid benefit, backdated to May 1. 

The NHLS, an independent agent contracted to the health department, had offered a 6.5% increase and R2 100 for medical aid. 

The union said it represents about a quarter of NHLS staff.

Two other representative unions, the Public Servants Association of SA and the Health and Other Service Personnel Trade Union of SA, had apparently agreed to a set increase. 

"We have seen many workers leave these unions to sign up with us as they agree they don't want the offer on the table," Pamla said. 

"We have had about 300 new members join in the last two days." 

The strikers include lab analysts and support staff. Operations at public hospitals nationwide could be affected by a delay in pathology reports and diagnostic tests. 

Pamla said hospitals could be outsourcing these functions at a cost to avoid delays.