In a joint statement on Wednesday, the public sector unions represented in the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) expressed their frustration at the number of delays and obstacles presented by the employer, namely the state, in the finalisation of a wage agreement.  

In that regard, they noted that the negotiations commenced in September 2017 and have been going on for seven months.  “Negotiators have reached the highest level of indignation having had to negotiate overnight on a few occasions in the interest of workers and the Public at large,” the statement reads.  It noted, however, that “the strike by the employer has to come to an end” and negotiations were set to resume on Wednesday, with the aim of ensuring that the process was completed by Friday, 20 April 2018.  The unions involved in the talks said they would decide and make a pronouncement on the way forward by no later than Monday, 23 April 2018.

• Read the unions’ short statement at SA Labour News

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