The Public Servants Association is gearing up for a strike.
The union said that the industrial action is due to the failure of the government to conclude an agreement on protracted salary negotiations for the public service.
"The union’s members mandated the rejection of a ridiculous and problematic offer where workers would potentially lose some R1 000 of their monthly income, leaving the PSA no choice but to embark on industrial action. The PSA could not agree to a salary decrease for workers in view of uncertainty regarding the continuation of the cash gratuity beyond 31 March 2023," said the union.
The PSA said that even the 3% salary adjustment offered did not meet the expectations of the union’s members, owing to steep price increases for basic necessities such as petrol, food, and electricity, as well as interest rate increases.
"The situation was worsened by the government’s failure to afford workers a real salary increase for three successive years, resulting in stagnant salaries," added the union.
The union then said that they then filed the notice to strike on October 24, 2022, after exhausting all options possible to resolve the wage negotiation impasse and hitting a brick wall owing to the government’s arrogance and disregard for workers’ plight throughout the negotiations.
"Effectively, the PSA’s members will have the right to strike seven days after filing the notice. The strike could not be avoided as, despite all attempts by the PSA, together with other unions, to demonstrate a willingness to negotiate, the employer failed to cooperate. The PSA’s members, after considering the events, voted in favour of strike action as they realised that all other options were exhausted. Their commitment to service delivery, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, was'rewarded' with the tabling of a 0%-salary increase offer," said the union.
The PSA said that the narrative from the government that public sector employees earn lucrative salaries and are greedy is misplaced as it includes state-owned entities, where salaries are above those of public service employees.
They said that even municipal workers are on higher salary scales when compared to national and provincial government department employees.
"Public Service employees have been the scapegoats for endless corruption. In addition, they work in dilapidated and unsafe buildings; endure chronic and excessive staff shortages; lack basic working tools; are insulted and attacked by the public for poor service whilst experiencing a lack of career mobility and advancement owing to the deployment of unqualified cadres. The public service, its employees, and citizens have been bleeding since the introduction of austerity measures by a cruel, uncaring government that refuses to acknowledge realities.
The PSA remains committed to protecting and promote the rights and interests of public servants, achieved through collective bargaining," concluded the union statement.
The Star