Press Statement dated 21 June 2018
The Public Servants Association (PSA), in intensifying current strike action by the majority of South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) employees, on 21 June 2018 in Pretoria handed over a memorandum with demands, with the Minister of Social Development expected to respond within seven days.
Hundreds of PSA members converged at the SASSA Head Office to hand over the memorandum. SASSA has been facing crippling strike from 8 June 2018 after the PSA served a strike action notice. The strike action follows after the PSA and SASSA could not reach an agreement on salary increases for SASSA employees. The PSA tabled a wage demand on behalf of members in February 2018 but SASSA failed to table any offer in response. In terms of the Constitution of the SASSA National Bargaining Forum (SNBF), if parties do not conclude a collective agreement within 30 days of the matter being tabled, any party may declare a dispute.
The PSA had no option but to file a dispute at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration. Conciliation failed and a certificate of non-resolution was issued on 23 April 2018. Following a balloting process, the PSA was mandated by its members in SASSA to proceed with strike action.
“The PSA attempted on several occasions to have an audience with the Minister of Social Development to, amongst other, address SASSA’s failure to conclude on wage negotiations. The PSA also repeatedly warned SASSA that its conduct and attitude will impact negatively on service delivery and labour peace,” said PSA General Manager, Ivan Fredericks.
The PSA tabled its wage demand on 1 February 2018 at the SASSA National Bargaining Forum. The demand, amongst others, included a single-term agreement with a general sliding-scale salary increase of between 13% and 15%. Issues related to housing, leave, the post establishment, danger allowances, performance management, and the insourcing of certain services, were also included in the PSA’s demand.
“The PSA has repeatedly voiced the its willingness to engage in efforts to find a solution to this growing crisis. The impact of the strike on those who depend on SASSA services is regrettable but is the result of the employer’s failure to engage on employees’ legitimate demands. The PSA expects that its demands will be favourably considered by the Minister and that the Union will receive a response within seven days to avoid further or increased action and mobilisation of PSA members,” said Mr Fredericks.
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Issued by Ivan Fredericks, General Manager, Public Servants Association (PSA)