Ball is in government’s court as unions’ deadline passes

Disgruntled public service unions said on Friday that they would push ahead with plans for a total shutdown of government services if the employer fails to respond positively to their demands for above-inflation pay increases.

This threat came after unions belonging to Cosatu, the SA Federation of Trade Unions and the Federation of Unions of SA marched recently to the National Treasury in Tshwane in support of demands including a 10% wage increase and the hiring of more public servants. They gave the employer seven days to respond favourably.

Among other demands, the unions want an end to austerity measures; permanent employment of community health workers, teacher assistants and reservists; the filling of all vacant posts and the insourcing of outsourced services.

The deadline to respond was December 2.

When contacted for comment, department of public service & administration spokesperson Moses Mushi said: “The government will respond to the unions as per the deadline.”

Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union of SA general secretary Waheed Hoosen said: “We are currently seeking instructions on the fullblown strike, but it is looking like we are heading in that direction as the employer is still undermining the process of collective bargaining.”

Hoosen said public servants were “still hard-pressed on this action and we will continue with lunchtime actions and protest marches until we are heard by the employer. We are heading into the festive season with heavy hearts, where the employer is taking us for granted. We feel undermined and irrelevant. It is time for us to protect our rights as unions.”

SA Policing Union spokesperson Lesiba Thobakgale said: “We are preparing for an indefinite strike action, so if they don’t come back to us on Friday, we are going to call out for members to join demonstrations in order to disrupt government services. We are moving together (as public service unions) so that at the end of the day, if we say it’s time to embark on strike action, we do just that.”

The country’s largest public service unions, the National Education Health and Allied Workers Union, Denosa, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union, and Public Servants Association (PSA), were issued with strike certificates at the Public Service Co-Ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) after parties could not hammer out a wage hike deal.

The unions’ march to the Treasury came after public service & administration acting minister Thulas Nxesi unilaterally implemented a final, revised 3% wage increase for public servants, as set out in finance minister Enoch Godongwana’s medium-term budget policy statement.

The public service unions demanded a 10% increase at the start of negotiations in May, but lowered it to 6.5% in an effort to reach agreement without lodging a dispute.

But, when Nxesi implemented the 3% increase — which was subsequently accepted by three teachers’ unions, including the SA Democratic Teachers Union — the unions reverted to their 10% demand.

The 3% wage hike includes a R1,000 after-tax cash gratuity that ends in March 2023.

The unions have often lashed out at the government’s efforts to rein in the public sector wage bill

— now at more than R660bn a year — saying the government needs to hire more workers to improve service delivery.

During their recent march to the Treasury, the unions said the planned “total shutdown” would affect almost all government services, with the police and nurses expected to down tools.

In a statement issued after its central executive committee on Thursday, Cosatu said: “The meeting extended its total support to public service unions who are currently mobilising against their employer following the collapse of wage negotiations in the public service and the unilateral implementation of a 3% wage offer.

“We reiterate our call on the government to sit down with unions at the PSCBC and engage in good faith to find an amicable solution.”

PSA assistant GM Reuben Maleka said in a statement: “Public servants’ anger has reached an uncontrollable level and they are prepared for indefinite strike action.

“Workers are prepared to fight fire with fire and bring the country to a standstill.”

The PSA was determined to continue with actions to protect public servants’ rights, which he said were “under attack by an arrogant government that can shamelessly renege from a signed collective agreement”.

He added: “The PSA cautions government to heed this warning as public servants have reached the end of their patience with government.”