GroundUp reports that hundreds of public sector workers marched to the offices of the National Treasury in Tshwane on Tuesday, rejecting the government’s 3% wage increase and calling on the government to return to the negotiating table.
The protest action was organised by unions affiliated to Cosatu, Saftu and Fedusa. Acting Public Service and Administration Minister Thulas Nxesi came out of the Treasury offices to receive the unions’ memorandum. Cosatu Deputy President Mike Shingange addressed the workers and said: “We want to see this matter concluded, that is why we are here to call you back to the bargaining council.” In the memorandum, the unions demanded a 10% increase across the board, permanent employment of police reservists, teachers and community health workers, and the filling of vacant posts. They gave the government seven days to return with another offer, failing which they would intensify their action from 2 December. In some parts of the country clinics and other government offices were closed.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Chris Gilili, Thamsanqa Mbovane and Joseph Chirume at GroundUp
- Read too, Government workers threaten ‘total shutdown’ for higher pay, at BusinessLive
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page