After four months of countless ineffective salary negotiations meetings between the employer and the unions, the employer refuses to meet the union’s demands. As a result, the union has resolved to embark on a strike action; with the overwhelming majority of the members voting in favour of a strike on the ballot issued by NUPSAW requesting them to indicate a vote of yes/no. Last week in a meeting held in Midrand, with the Minister of Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), the minister requested a postponement to consult with the mandating committee on his intention to reconsider the housing allowance offer. Despite the union’s best effort to co-operate with the employer and also in upholding our end of the bargain not to disrupt the country’s biggest soccer event. The employer still continues his attitude of disrespecting and disregarding the unions. NUPSAW has been issued a certificate to strike by the PSCBC.
Initially, 3-core demands tabled by the union were as follows;
1. Salary increase: 11% – with the implementation on April 01st, 2010
2. Housing allowance: increase from R500 t R1650
3. Equal medical-aid subsidies offer to all employees in public sectors
The employer responded with a counter-offer of 5.2%, and after much deliberations, he changed his offer to a mere 6.5% with no offer on medical-aid subsidies. The unions in a compromise put a revised demand of 9% on the table and still, the employer could not budge.
This strike action will bring the whole public service industry to a standstill, involving teachers, nurses, police and the rest of the state workers. We note that PSA has prematurely issued their call for strike but this has no bearing on NUPSAW’s preparation for the industrial action, therefore our members shall wait until those teacher unions who have requested more time to the ballot has finalised their balloting hopefully by the end of this week.
We will give the government a 7-days notice on Monday at the earliest such that the strike can commence next Monday, 1 August.
For inquiries please contact:
Nomthandazo Mahlangu
Communications and Media Liaison Officer- (078) 221-5626
Issued by: NUPSAW (National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers)-814 Church Street, Eastwood 0083