Fin24 reports that the public sector wage agreement is close to being a done deal, with 48% of workers represented by trade unions at the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) supporting the government’s offer.  

A majority of 50%+1 employee agreement is required to implement the deal.  "We are awaiting Nehawu to finalise their consultation.  We will be patient," the PSCBC’s Frikkie de Bruin indicated on Thursday.  Two unions have so far confirmed that they have signed, namely Popcru and Sadtu.  The PSCBC has kept the names of the other signatories under wraps due to union rivalry.  This stance has been met with disdain by the Public Servants Association (PSA), which has been outspoken against the wage negotiations since early 2018, accusing Cosatu unions of "selling out" their members.  

The 238,000 member-strong PSA will go on strike from Monday, which will likely affect immigration, the distribution of social grants and prosecutors in the judicial system.  Nehawu and six other Cosatu affiliates will brief the media on Friday about the wage negotiations.  The proposed three-year wage deal would see 7% increases for junior employees for 2018/2019, 6.5% for mid-level employees and 6% for senior staff.  The increases for the second and third years would be on an inflation-linked sliding scale.

• Read this report by Tehillah Niselow in full at Fin24
• Read too, PSA officially serves intended strike notice, at EWN
• Read the PSA’s press statement at SA Labour News

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page