Share

Public sector strike threat looms

Cape Town - The three-year wage agreement between the government and the public sector unions expires on Tuesday, with the government having, on Friday, declared a dispute.  Behind-the-scenes talks are continuing, but a major strike now seems likely with the unions perhaps more united than at any time in the recent past.

The seven public sector unions affiliated to Cosatu will meet on Monday to discuss the way forward. 

The deputy general secretary of the major nursing union, Denosa, Khaya Sodidi, said: "All of us across the board are united."

Like other union negotiators he expressed surprise and disappointment at the way in which the government had conducted the wage talks.

United proposal

The unions are particularly annoyed that, having made an initial pay offer of 5.8%, government negotiators lowered this to 4.8%. 

“They did so on a technicality,” said Leon Gilbert, chief negotiator for the independent PSA union. “They say that Treasury has projected that inflation will be 4.8% for the coming year and that pay must be geared to that.”

However, given the fuel price rise on Wednesday, the increase in electricity tariffs and further fuel increases in the pipeline, the unions maintain that inflation (CPI) will be significantly higher than the treasury projection. And while the government is also insisting on a three-year deal, the unions have put forward a united proposal for a one-year agreement.

Basil Manuel of teachers' union Naptosa said: "The government proposals so far have been very airy fairy and disrespectful.”

According to Sodidi, the government negotiators have, in effect, undermined “the whole bargaining process”.

Several of the unions involved, including Denosa, resolved at the weekend to “seek a mandate” from their members for the way forward.  

Dangerous game

In the meantime, the government having declared a dispute, has two weeks in which to apply for conciliation.  Should this fail, it could lead to either a strike or a lock-out.

However, even though official talks are stalled, contacts will be maintained between the parties.

A Cosatu union negotiator said: “But this time the government is playing a very dangerous game, walking along a precipice.”

According to Gilbert, the unions simply do not understand the government position.  “What do they hope to achieve (in the way they have behaved)?” he asked on Sunday.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.01
-0.4%
Rand - Pound
24.13
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.62
-0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.38
+0.3%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.5%
Platinum
901.05
-0.2%
Palladium
999.00
-0.7%
Gold
2,149.87
-0.5%
Silver
24.84
-0.8%
Brent Crude
86.89
+1.8%
Top 40
65,953
-0.5%
All Share
72,165
-0.4%
Resource 10
53,256
-0.1%
Industrial 25
99,523
-1.0%
Financial 15
16,664
+0.3%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders