By Akani Nkuna
Legal Aid South Africa faces renewed nationwide industrial action from Monday after employees accused management and government of failing to resolve longstanding disputes over pay, staffing shortages and working conditions.
The South African Lawyers and Allied Workers Union (SALAWU) notified Legal Aid SA on Wednesday that it would resume the strike that was suspended in June, with industrial action expected to continue until further notice.
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The union has called for Legal Aid SA’s board and executive management to receive a memorandum of demands between 11am and 1pm on Monday.
In a statement released on Friday, Legal Aid SA said it had activated contingency measures to minimise disruptions.
“The organisation respects employees’ constitutional rights to participate in lawful and protected industrial action. At the same time, it has activated appropriate business continuity measures to minimise service disruptions and maintain access to legal assistance and representation, as far as possible and within its means,” it said.
The latest confrontation follows a two-day nationwide strike on 17 and 18 June, when Legal Aid lawyers and administrative employees protested against frozen vacancies, excessive workloads, salary disputes and the organisation’s retirement policy.
During that action, union members marched in Johannesburg, Gqeberha and other centres, demanding intervention from Legal Aid SA management, Parliament and Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi.
SALAWU president Andile Mavatha accused the authorities of failing to respond adequately to workers’ concerns.
The union gave management 10 days to respond to a memorandum of demands, but rejected its response in July, saying it was inadequate.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development subsequently became involved in efforts to facilitate discussions between the parties.
In Gqeberha, SALAWU representative Siphelo Gila told The Herald during the June strike that unfilled vacancies were placing increasing pressure on legal practitioners.
“Then it means one practitioner has to do the work of two other practitioners because the vacancies have not been advertised so that they can be occupied. That is the main issue.”
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The impact of the June strike was disputed. SALAWU said the action had disrupted the justice system, while Legal Aid SA maintained that contingency arrangements had prevented disruptions to court operations.
In its latest statement, Legal Aid SA acknowledged employees’ concerns but said significant budgetary pressures limited its ability to implement certain measures.
“Legal Aid SA acknowledges the concerns raised by employees and appreciates the engagements that have taken place to date,” the organisation said.
“The organisation remains committed to meaningful engagement with the SALAWU while balancing employee-related priorities with its financial sustainability and statutory responsibility to provide legal services to vulnerable and indigent people.”
Legal Aid SA said employee compensation accounted for a substantial proportion of expenditure reductions required under the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework.
It was engaging its executive authority and National Treasury over funding needed to address operational and employee-related priorities.
Management said it had responded formally to the union’s earlier demands and committed to quarterly meetings with SALAWU to strengthen labour relations.
