Fin24 reports that the public service is teetering on the brink of industrial action after at least another two unions declared a dispute at public service wage talks with the government.

Unions and the government have been stuck in the negotiations before the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council at a 3% wage increase offer to public servants. Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said his union, Nehawu and Denosa had declared a dispute on the government’s current 3% offer. "We have declared a dispute, and the date of conciliation hearing and issuing of a certificate to embark on industrial action will be communicated," Mamabolo stated. Denosa spokesperson Sibongiseni Delihlazo confirmed that the union had rejected the offer. Nehawu's spokesperson Lwazi Nkolisi referred queries to a Cosatu spokesperson, who could not immediately be reached for comment. While the government raised its offer from 2% to 3% in late August during a mediation process, the offer is still a far cry from union demands ranging between 6% and 10%, most of which have been revised downwards. In September, Popcru held a march to the Union Buildings, demanding a public service wage baseline that was not less than 10%, and a reversal of all "austerity" measures in the public service.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khulekani Magubane at Fin24

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