NUPSAW REJECTS RIDICULOUS “OFFER” OF R978 GRATUITY FOR PUBLIC SERVANTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
19 May 2021
Following a deadlock on 23 April 2021, with parties in the PSCBC to get a solution regarding salary negotiations for public servants. However, other sweetheart unions and the employer agreed to begin a facilitation process to break the deadlock. The facilitation is a mere delaying tactic
NUPSAW rejects the ridiculous “offer” the government has made of a monthly non-pensionable cash gratuity of R978-00 before tax for 12 months. The 1.5% is not an offer; it is an existing agreement on pay progression annually given to public servants who have performed satisfactorily. The insinuation of the 1.5% as an offer undermines the intelligence of the Union’s leadership and its members. We know that the ridiculous “offer” of R978 is being made to get the votes for the ruling party during the forthcoming local government elections in October, and next year they will tell public servants where to get off.
The “offer” by the employer does not come close to what was demanded by organised labour bearing in mind that employees have not received their salary increases for the 2020/21 financial year.
The rising cost of basic needs and the effects caused by the Covid-19 epidemic has equally affected not only the frontline workers but all other public servants. It has affected them more as they have been directly exposed to the epidemic, and some have lost their lives as a result. Increases in food, fuel, transport, and other commodities have added to the hardships suffered by our members who are public servants such as Teachers, Nurses, Doctors, EMS, Cleaning staff, and many more.
NUPSAW will join other public service unions affiliated with the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) to refer the dispute with the government tomorrow when the facilitation process expires.
As SAFTU public sector unions, we are mobilising our members across for a general strike. Unless we fight to the bitter end, this corrupt and oppressive government will continue to exploit public servants and citizens.
For more information:
Kagiso Makoe
NUPSAW Media Officer
083 712 1614
Success Mataitsane
NUPSAW General Secretary
082 553 8465