Parliament was forced to suspend its business on Tuesday due to an ongoing strike by staff. The Chief Whips Forum agreed that the planned 2pm sitting be suspended and that all business be carried over to sittings on Wednesday and Thursday.This is the first time in its existence that Parliament has been shut down due to labour unrest.Members of the National Education‚ Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) took over the National Assembly chamber earlier on Tuesday.They sang and chanted “Asonwabanga‚ epalamente sifun’ imali asonwabanga!” (loosely translated as “we are not happy in Parliament‚ we want money”)‚ making it impossible for Members of Parliament to debate adjustments to the national budget.They then changed to “Makuliwe!” (let us fight!).Union members are unhappy about wage and salary issues‚ and about the securitisation of Parliament by the state security agency.Parliament reached an agreement with the union on wage issues last week‚ only for Nehawu to renege on it on Friday.The National Assembly chamber is one of three national keypoint buildings in Parliament. Normal police officers were keeping watch over the strikers‚ but no public order police were on sceneNehawu branch chair S’thembiso Tembe said that MPs "must be prepared to assist us"‚ and also told workers that “nothing is going to move today” and the union was “ready for anything”.Democratic Alliance chief whip John Steenhuisen said a failure to pass the budget by Wednesday would have “grave implications” for Treasury as the budget process had already been left too late.The Economic Freedom Fighters’ Hlengiwe Hlope‚ however‚ said her party supported the workers in the strike.“The budget process will be delayed but it’s high time Parliament listens to their workers. They must sit down and be genuine with them‚” she said.Earlier on Tuesday morning‚ a sitting of the Portfolio Committee on Public Works was disrupted by Nehawu supporters dancing on tables and singing‚ which meant the Expropriation Bill could not be debated.National Assembly chairperson Grace Boroto tried to restore order‚ but failed. She then suspended proceedings indefinitely as union members ululated and blew on vuvzelas.African National Congress (ANC) spokesman in Parliament Moloto Mothapo said the party was “concerned” about the disruption of parliamentary business.He said the ANC was meeting with “stakeholders” in a bid to resolve the issue.– TMG Digital/Parliamentary Bureau..