SOUTH AFRICA
Negotiations over a new pay deal for South Africa’s Public Servants are evolving into a clash between trade unions, with the militant Public Servants Association (PSA) taking aim at the more moderate Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).
The row began when the PSA said it would initiate strike action this week (11 June – 16 June), starting with protests on what it termed a “Day of Rage”.
COSATU complained of the action, saying the PSA should stop trying to drag its members into the strike.
The strike is timed to coincide with a 21-day period during which unions in the public sector are supposed to consult with their members over the Government’s offer.
Deputy General-Secretary of the PSA, Tahir Maepa said his union wanted to reduce COSATU’s “toxic majority status” among PS employees.
“They may be big now, but they may not be big tomorrow,” Mr Maepa said.
“Alliances should not be allowed to take precedence over the prosperity of Public Servants.”
Acknowledging PSA members do not constitute a majority of PS staff, he said the union could still shut down key sectors such as immigration and the courts.
The PSA is the largest of the non–COSATU-affiliated unions and has consistently accused COSATU of being on the side of the Government.
Mr Maepa vowed to chip away at COSATU’s Public Service majority and believed the pressure was working.
“There is a misconception by the Minister of Public Services and Administration, Ayanda Dlodlo and COSATU that this strike may be illegal or not in the interest of the Public Servants,” he said.
“It is clear COSATU is trying to save the state money.”
Mr Maepa predicted that if wage negotiations were not solved now, additional problems would arise down the line.
Spokesperson for COSATU, Sizwe Pamla said the PSA was welcome to go on strike, but it should not try to draw members from COSATU-affiliated unions into the dispute.
“COSATU unions will communicate their position when the 21-day consultation period has expired,” Mr Pamla said.
Pretoria, 7 June 2018
