BLOEMFONTEIN – Legal Aid South Africa employees affiliated to the South African Lawyers and Allied Workers Union (SALAWU) downed tools this morning as they embark on a full-blown strike. Central to the strike are unpaid performance bonuses, frozen vacancies, and declining working conditions, with workers lamenting the impact on their ability to serve the public diligently.
Striking workers at various branches include support staff and legal practitioners. Protest actions are under way at the Braamfontein offices in Johannesburg and at the Gqeberha offices outside the Magistrate’s Court, while those in Durban have submitted a memorandum outlining their grievances. Employees in Bloemfontein in the Free State joined the nationwide protest, picketing between 13:00 and 14:00.
Trade union SALAWU served notice last Wednesday of a strike by affiliated workers is adamant the strike will continue until further notice, compelling the employer to honour undertakings to address workers’ grievances.
The employer, Legal Aid SA, has assured the public of the continuity of services and that it has contingency plan to maintain services.
“We have activated appropriate business and service continuity measures to minimise disruption to services, ensuring that clients continue to receive legal assistance and representation. Legal Aid SA respects the constitutional rights of employees to participate in this lawful and protected industrial action. The organisation remains committed to its statutory mandate to safeguard access to justice for vulnerable and indigent persons,” said Legal Aid SA in a statement.
