Meshoe in support of strike bill

AFRICAN Christian Democratic Party leader Kenneth Meshoe has come out in support of a bill calling for unions to be held liable for damages caused by their members during strike actions.

"Penalties must be imposed on unions that allow damages during strikes," Meshoe told Sowetan yesterday.

The ACDP leader also believes that teachers, police officers, nurses, doctors and soldiers should not be allowed to go on strike.

"These people provide essential services. They must be paid well so they don't have a reason to strike," he said.

Last week the DA introduced a private members bill in Parliament calling for unions to be held liable for damages caused by their members during strikes

"Just as football clubs are held to account for unruly conduct of their supporters, so should a union take partial responsibility for the destruction by its members during strike actions," argued DA deputy shadow labour minister Ian Ollis.

Both the SACP and Cosatu have rejected the bill, describing it as an attempt to weaken trade unions.