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Message: [QUOTE="Queen, post: 87288, member: 27"] A near double-digit medical aid spike just set off province-wide protests, with public servants saying their paychecks are getting squeezed harder every year. KZN unions mobilize against GEMS hike [LIST] [*]Congress of South African Trade Unions in KwaZulu-Natal spearheaded the protests. [*]The Government Employees Medical Scheme imposed a 9.8% contribution increase. [*]Workers staged lunchtime pickets across Durban and other provincial hubs. [*]Public servants argue the jump wrecks already stretched household budgets. [/LIST] Two-year increase dwarfs wage gains [LIST] [*]Combined hikes hit 23.3% after last year’s 13.4% rise. [*]Salary adjustments trailed behind at 5.5% and 4%. [*]Nurses, teachers, and police officers say take-home pay feels thinner. [*]Inflation at 3.6% makes the scheme’s jump look excessive. [/LIST] National day of action set for Pretoria [LIST] [*]Unions plan a 26 February 2026 march at Menlyn Maine. [*]The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa joined the coalition. [*]National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union backed the push. [*]South African Democratic Teachers’ Union and Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union signed on. [/LIST] Calls for a forensic probe and choice [LIST] [*]Organizers demand the increase be scrapped immediately. [*]Leaders want a forensic audit into management and procurement. [*]Members are pushing for freedom to choose alternative medical schemes. [*]Scheme officials claim rising healthcare costs justify the adjustment. [/LIST] [/QUOTE]

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