SOUTH AFRICA
South African public sector unions have sent a strong message to the Government: come back to the negotiating table to resolve salaries or face a total shutdown of the public sector.
Convenor of the unions taking part in the negotiations, Mugwena Maluleke said negotiations began in September and the fact there was still no settlement was a clear sign of the Government’s “lack of care” as both employer and provider of public services.
“In our view, we think they have declared war on the workers,” Mr Maluleke said.
“We don’t have time to play by the book that they have been violating themselves.”
His comments came after the South African Department of Public Service and Administration pleaded for more time to deal with deadlocked public sector wage negotiations.
It called on the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) to delay further talks so it could consult with other Ministries, including the Treasury.
Acting Minister for Public Service and Administration, Naledi Pandor (pictured) said she needed to finalise internal processes before embarking on new talks.
Asking for an adjournment until 3 May, Ms Pandor said she understood the urgency of the situation.
“We also want to ensure that we package a deal that is workable and sustainable for Government, labour and the South African public in general,” Ms Pandor said.
Unions are seeking a 12 per cent increase across the board.
Pretoria, 25 April 2018
