2007年VOA标准英语-S. African Public Sector Strike Expands

By Delia Robertson
Johannesburg
13 June 2007

Tens of thousands of workers marched Wednesday in major South African centers in support of a strike by public servants wanting a pay raise. VOA's Delia Robertson reports from Johannesburg that government workers were joined by sympathy strikers from other unions.

sector1 workers march with a mock coffin2 carrying a portrait of Frazer Moleketi, S. Africa's Minister for Public Service" hspace="2" src="/upimg/allimg/070628/0929260.jpg" width="210" vspace="2" border="0" />

Public sector workers march with a mock coffin carrying a portrait of Frazer Moleketi, S. Africa's Minister for Public Service

Union leaders said they would shut South Africa down, but support for a general stay-away was mixed, with most services functioning at a reduced level.

Strongest support came in KwaZulu-Natal, where taxi operators joined in the action, leaving many commuters without means of getting to work, even if they wished to do so.

Schools and hospitals are hardest hit, with most schools closed across the country. Many hospitals continue to refuse to accept new patients, and emergency cases are being referred to private facilities.

While the strike in its 13th day has been generally peaceful, there have has been some intimidation³ and violence reported at schools. Some teachers and students have been assaulted, and in an incident that may be linked to the strike, one teacher was shot dead in her home.

There have been reports from some hospitals that more very sick people are dying than is usual; and some family members say their relatives died because of a lack of care.

This week, the unions lowered their demand for a basic salary increase from 12 to 10 percent, and the government accepted a proposal from a mediator⁴ that includes a 7.25 percent increase.

Labor⁵ lawyer Priyesh Daya says he expects the parties to eventually meet somewhere between the two.

"Where I see this going is that both parties will meet in the middle. At this point there is 7.25 on the table, and the unions are asking for 10," he noted⁶. "I would think maybe 8.5 would be that middle figure, that middle ground, that common ground that may be reached."

Daya, a director of the Wright, Rose-Innes firm in Johannesburg, notes that the current strike is the largest since 1994. He says it could drag on indefinitely unless both sides work hard toward finding common ground.

"I think both parties must just ensure that bargaining is always done in good faith, and that both parties commit to try to reach an understanding or compromise as soon as possible," he said.

The strike will likely give both parties an indication of their negotiating strength. Already, union leaders are calling for indefinite sympathy strikes from unions not involved in the current dispute. Talks are to resume Thursday.

1 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

2 coffin   

n.棺材，灵柩

参考例句：

• When one's coffin is covered,all discussion about him can be settled.盖棺论定。
• The coffin was placed in the grave.那口棺材已安放到坟墓里去了。

3 intimidation   

n.恐吓，威胁

参考例句：

• The Opposition alleged voter intimidation by the army.反对党声称投票者受到军方的恐吓。
• The gang silenced witnesses by intimidation.恶帮用恐吓的手段使得证人不敢说话。

4 mediator   

n.调解人，中介人

参考例句：

• He always takes the role of a mediator in any dispute.他总是在争论中充当调停人的角色。
• He will appear in the role of mediator.他将出演调停者。

5 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

6 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。