Negotiations between the Department of Public Service and Administration and public sector unions led by Cosatu) continued throughout most of yesterday as the government tried to avoid a possible strike by thousands of public servants File Picture
DURBAN - NEGOTIATIONS between the Department of Public Service and Administration and public sector unions led by Cosatu continued throughout most of yesterday as the government tried to avoid a possible strike by thousands of public servants.
The public service wage talks have been dragging on for weeks as unions press for a 7% increase while the government has remained firm on no increase.
While it is understood the government has since presented an improved offer to unions, its contents have not been disclosed. Over the past few weeks, threats of a strike have become more ominous as the Public Service Association (PSA), the South African Police Union and the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) have declared a dispute.
Saftu spokesperson Trevor Suku told The Mercury last night that they were ready to go on strike as the government was negotiating in bad faith and was not prepared to meet workers’ demands.
“No matter what unions do to prepare – no matter how persuasive our presentations that demonstrate the worsening conditions of workers due to price rises in food, petrol and electricity, and a decline in our general standards of living – the government simply ignores the pleas,” said Suku.
Mugwena Maluleke, the convener of all Cosatu-affiliated public service unions in the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC), expressed a degree of optimism following discussions.
“This has been by far the most difficult negotiation process that we have been engaged in because, to begin with, the employer had not placed anything on the table. The fact that we are now talking of an offer is a sign of the resilience and patience from labour as well as the work that has been done by mediators,” said Maluleke.
He would not disclose the offer, saying this would be presented to union affiliates for discussion, and hopefully acceptance, and so avoid a strike.
Reuben Maleka, acting deputy manager for members’ affairs at the PSA, which filed a dispute with the PSCBC, said the decision to exclude the PSA from the wage negotiations was childish.
He added that the union had received information that the offer made was that employees would not receive a pensionable salary increase during 2021, but would have their salaries adjusted by at least 1.5% and a monthly non-pensionable cash gratuity of R978 for 12 months. Maleka said: “Our demand is about 7%, therefore the 1.5% offer is a joke and far from even the CPI (consumer price index) or 2.8% made to municipalities.”
THE MERCURY