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BL Premium reports that disgruntled public service unions said on Friday they would push ahead with plans for a total shutdown of government services should the employer fail to respond positively to their demands for above-inflation pay increases.
This threat came after the unions of labour federations such as Cosatu, Saftu and Fedusa marched recently to the National Treasury in Tshwane in support of demands including a 10% wage increase and the hiring of more public servants. They gave the employer seven days to respond favourably. The unions also demanded an end to austerity measures; permanent employment of community health workers, teacher assistants and reservists; the filling of all vacant posts; and the insourcing of outsourced services, among other things. The deadline to respond was Friday, 2 December. When contacted for comment, Department of Public Service & Administration said: “The government will respond to the unions as per the deadline.” In a statement issued after its central executive committee on Thursday, Cosatu said: “The meeting extended its total support to public service unions who are currently mobilising against their employer following the collapse of wage negotiations in the public service and the unilateral implementation of a 3% wage offer. We reiterate our call on the government to sit down with unions at the PSCBC and engage in good faith to find an amicable solution to avoid labour instability in the public service.” The Public Servants Association’s Reuben Maleka said: “Public servants’ anger has reached an uncontrollable level and they are prepared for indefinite strike action. Workers are prepared to fight fire with fire and bring the country to a standstill.”
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
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