The lesson evident from the bus strike is that central bargaining is poisoning industrial relations. It does not take into account that conditions vary from province to province. Workers have a right to take industrial action against bad employers who pay the lowest possible wages and fail to provide basic benefits. But good employers should be respected by unions. Instead they are dragged into the national strike and suffer serious economic damage. Their well-paid workers also suffer due to the no work, no pay rule. They have been abused in the power struggles of the union bosses. More workplace democracy is needed, especially secret ballots before industrial action. Janine MyburghPresident, Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry
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