The Strike

[Lioness]

Today we are experiencing a national strike against everything - electricity/petrol/cost of living etc.

Our phones have rang 3 times so far.
We are the only company open in our complex.
Even First National Bank is closed.
There are no "taxis" anywhere.
Quiet hangs in the air.

What a beautiful day. I know it costs the economy millions but I think COSATU and affiliates are striking for a just cause. The majority of our population earn peanuts and with inflation they cannot feed their families anymore. I know that the bulk of the inflation is beyond the control of the government, but my heart goes out to the people (black and white) who can no longer cope.

I hope their march has some success and that the day passes peacefully.

 

[DaveM]

Funny I was just going to post on this. I have just been out and it is like riding around on a Sunday. No taxi’s, no mad rush to sell you stuff at traffic lights

 

[Gromit]

COSATU annual calendar: January, February, March, March, March....................

It's a stunning day in Jhb - warm, sunny, no traffic, no taxis, no taxis, no taxis! If the march actually had an impact on the fiscal policies, I'd agree with the national standstill, but Tito and the boys are not going to change their agenda because COSATU marched in protest for a day. I think these marches are a waste of time, cost us millions and achieve absolutely nothing.

 

[Lioness]

Just popped out to make a delivery - roads empty although our finest have set up a road bock by the East Rand Mall. How come traffic cops don't go on strike? They are not essential services!

 

[Lioness]

I think these marches are a waste of time, cost us millions and achieve absolutely nothing.
[/quote]


Normally I would agree with you on this one but if the marches achieve a reduction on anything, or maybe even a delay in putting up interest rates, then big ups to them. Maybe before Tito and his henchmen sumarily put up the interest rates again (which is on the cards for this month) they might seriously give a thought to all the people that are struggling to make ends meet. Economists were not unanimous on the last increase and felt it was overkill. If economists think like that then what do the ordinary people on the street think? What about dropping some of the tarrifs on the petrol price? What about zero rating some more essential goods? At the end of the day they might not achieve anything but at least they had the guts to try and maybe the government will sit up and take notice and try to do something to alleviate the poverty in our poverty stricken nation.

 

[Gromit]

Would be nice if they did achieve a reduction on just on of your wish-list. Trevor is tabling a document to have all non-vatable food items rescinded and VAT charged on all food items, irrespective. If he gets that through Parliament, there will be a countrywide riot, let alone strike.

I don't think we'll see another rate hike until December. Economists do what we all do - thumbsuck. Lets see what happens. :sad:

 

[Lioness]

I have the utmost respect for Trevor, he has done an incredible job for the past 14 years but if he does something as stupid as that then he has a screw loose. We all know that he is stepping down from office at the next election (as is Tito) so maybe he wants to leave a bit of the old poo behind for our non corrupt future president to sort out.

 

[Lioness]

Hi Kevin
Our prime lending rate at the moment stands at a hefty 17%. The average savings account offers +- 8%. The CPIX came in at +-10.5% last month while the PPI has gone up to around 16%. Some economists are arguing that the CPIX is calculated wrong with the food percentage being too high. Even if they dropped it, CPIX would still be around 9%.
Yep times are certainly tough here.

 

[DaveM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-f_oJaxyt8

 

[Doug]

Strikes damage the economy and scare off investors.
So how is that going to bring down prices?

 

[Lioness]

I see our strike was the number 2 headline on the BBC yesterday. It's quite funny watching it on the BBC and then watching our news - they don't seem to be talking about the same country.

 

[Gromit]

Sky, BBC, e-News and the SABC stations ran the same story. I had to have another cup of coffee just to make sure I'd woken up in the right country. Gotta love the media!

 

[Lioness]

In the BBC interview that I saw there was a correspondent chatting to a Union official. The correspondent asked what the strike was all about and the Union dude said it was time to show Thabo Mbeki that he has ruined the country and it is time for him to go. He said that the president "IS" Jacob Zuma and we had better accept it.