THE year 2010 saw a dissatisfied workforce taking to the streets as unions demanded double-digit salary increments.

This year's strikes and protests across all industries, including the public sector, which was crippled by a month-long strike, left a dent in the economy.

Some unions have already warned employers that they will not back down during 2011 wage negotiations. The National Union of Metalworkers of SA this month warned employers in the engineering sector to prepare for a "war" in wage negotiations next year.

The Fifa World Cup spectacle also felt the wrath of dissatisfied workers when stadium security guards abandoned their posts and protested to demand more money.

Schools, hospitals and other government services, parastatal Transnet, car manufacturing sector and municipal services ground to a halt.

Analysts warned that the strikes could have long-term economic consequences.

• In April up to 60000 workers took part in the municipal strike nationwide, following a failed application by the South African Local Government Association to halt industrial action.

Municipal services were severely affected.

• In May the three-week long Transnet industrial action diminished port and railway operations throughout the country. Goods perished as they awaited exportation. Producers and exporters of perishable goods were the hardest hit.

Economist Mike Schussler said then that the strike was estimated to cost the economy between R300million and R500million a day.

• In June, during the Fifa Soccer World Cup, stadium security guards downed tools over a wage dispute. Police had to take over security services at affected stadiums.

Rea Vaya bus drivers in Johannesburg also left soccer fans stranded when they embarked on a strike after a soccer match.

• Soon after the much-heralded soccer spectacle, power utility Eskom's workers threatened to down tools. An agreement was struck between the unions and the employer, preventing the strike.
• In August thousands of public servants took to the streets, with teachers and nurses abandoning schools and hospitals. Court interdicts to prevent police, soldiers and nurses from striking did nothing to curb the damage.

The motor industry saw workers at petrol stations, workshops and dealerships going on strike in September. This came after the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa deadlocked with employer bodies the Retailers Motor Industry and Fuel Retailers Association.