Fin24 reports that the National Education Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) was set to embark on a collision course with government on Thursday, as it readied itself to announce public sector wage demands in the double digits.  

Nehawu is the largest Cosatu affiliate.  Together with other public sector unions within the ANC’s labour ally, the joint opening demand will be for a one-year agreement and changes to housing allowances.  The Public Servants Association (PSA), which is affiliated to Fedusa, revealed its wage demands last month.  It will be seeking increases of 10% to 12%, as well as a one-year wage deal.  Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba warned ahead of the medium-term budget last week that the negotiations period would be difficult.  He wouldn’t be drawn on the figure the government team would be tabling as an opening offer at the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council, but said unions should act in the public interest as SA’s debt-to-GDP ratio was expected to rise to 60% in the next three years.

• Read this report by Tehillah Neslow in full at Fin24

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