Abstract
M.Cur.
The problem of strikes within the public institutions has infiltrated the health sector and
has led to nurses participating in the strike action, which affects patient care. The
involvement of unions and works' representatives in the health services cannot be wished
away as it is a political and constitutional reality in South Africa.
The researcher is concerned about the quality of awareness of nurses of the causes of
strike action. Confusion amongst nurses about their professional rights and
responsibilities contributes to labour unrest. The management of health services is at
times not sensitive to the needs of nurses, and nurses are not always recognised for their
inherent professional worth. The nursing management is also apparently confused about
their roles and responsibilities towards their subordinates in respect of exerting their
authority whilst not having the power to make decisions.
The researcher, as an observer of the chaos caused by strike action in the health services,
decided to investigate the matter through a phenomenological study. The parameters of
nursing and beliefs about man, health, illness and nursing are also described.
The following questions were generated :
Why do nurses participate in strike action?
How do professional nurses and nursing service managers experience strike action?
What nursing service management strategy can be developed to prevent future
strike action by nurses?
The objectives of the study are to:
Explore and describe the reasons why professional nurses participate in strike action
in a public hospital in Gauteng.
Explore and describe how strike action is experienced by professional nurses and
nursing service managers; and
To describe a strategy for nursing service managers to prevent future strike action by
nurses within a health delivery system