Dear Jackie...

"    With the statement that "South African Unions are pretty powerful" I think your blog post hits a nail on the head. Any group that can shut down so many essential social services deserves some respect. Even more impressive is that the Unions can accomplish this feat when the unemployment rate is approximately a 25% and many South Africans must be desperate for work. The Unions' certainly have power, and whether their strike is bravery or foolishness, that South African Unions are a force to be reckoned with is undebatable.



I'd like to suggest an informative video about the strike: http://www.newsy.com/videos/south-african-workers-strike-turns-violent/. It's got some compelling footage of police clashing with protesters, and it lays out the basic positions of the opposing sides. I think it will compliment your post nicely should you choose to embed it.

Best,
Matt "

Thank you Matt
As much i understand their reasons to strike, to get 1 million public servants out of work for more than week is a risky move that could scare away investors big time!!
Though the good news today is Unions representing more than 1mn striking South African civil servants began talks with the government to end the strike that could damage Africa’s largest economy if it drags on into next month.

Gladly,General Motors Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and competing carmakers in South Africa agreed to raise workers’ pay by 10 percent in 2010, ending an eight-day strike.The Automobile Manufacturers Employers Organisation (Ameo) and the metal workers union, Numsa, signed a new wage agreement on Friday. The three-year deal will see workers getting a 10% increase this year, and 9% rises during the next two years. Thats a good start!Numsa was asking for a 15% increase, more than three times the country's rate of inflation.
I'm hoping that the rest goes well for South Africa!
Though i doubt other sectors like Education and Health care have come to compromise with that the government has to offer  so far.
Is South African strike putting too much at risk?