So the unions are carrying out their threat to bring Joburg to its knees on Thursday in a sympathy strike for Metrobus drivers.

So the unions are carrying out their threat to bring Joburg to its knees on Thursday in a sympathy strike for Metrobus drivers.

Everyone, from nurses to rubbish collectors, will be manning the picket lines.

Ever since Polokwane, organised labour has been on a roll and we sympathise with the many underpaid public servants who struggle to keep the wolf from the door.

But taking the whole city out on strike in these trying times will do nothing for our international reputation before the Confederations Cup, our ravaged economy or service delivery.

Triumphalist unions need to measure their new-found power against the cost to the rest of society when they resort to labour actions.