Johannesburg – The Public Servants Association (PSA) said a public sector strike would be on the cards should workers reject a 3% wage offer from government.
The PSA and government could not reach an agreement during recent wage negotiations for 2022/23 in the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council.
This resulted in the PSA declaring a dispute. Parties agreed to a facilitation process, which was held from August 26 to 30.
Last week, government then tabled a revised salary offer of 3% for salary levels one to 12, with continued payment of the non-pensionable cash allowance until March 31 next year.
PSA spokesperson Reuben Maleka said workers had 21 days to mandate their unions on whether to accept or reject the offer.
"Although the offer by government on the baseline alone is not close to the current inflation rate, the PSA is of the opinion that the continued payment of the cash allowance will provide much-needed financial relief to employees who had to bear the brunt of the high cost of living in recent months whilst awaiting the negotiation processes to be concluded," Maleka said.
Unions had initially asked for 6.5% and government was only offering 2%.
Maleka said government had to consider the high cost of living and other factors before proposing an offer to workers.
"The cost of living is high and public servants are finding it hard. Generally, government needs to put measures in place to improve the economy,“ Maleka said.
The Star