BusinessLive reports that the government has rejected most of the wage and conditions of employment demands tabled by public sector labour unions at the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC).  

State negotiators told unions on Thursday that the state could only afford to adjust salaries as per the consumer price index (CPI) for employees on levels one to 10 and by CPI minus 1% for levels 11 and 12.  The proposed increases were not well received by unions, which want the government to increase salaries by 10% for the highest-paid workers and 12% for lowest-paid ones.  The unions have also demanded the phasing out of levels 1 to 3, but the government has rejected this demand too, among a list of others that include a R2,500 hike in the housing allowance and the increase and equalisation of pay progression for all public servants.  Independent Labour Caucus spokesman Basil Manuel said unions looked forward to hearing the government’s rationale for the wage offers, while emphasising that because of the economic challenges in the country, they had not closed the door on talks.  The next meeting of the parties has been set down for January to discuss the government’s offer.

• Read this report by Theto Mahlakoana in full at BusinessLive

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