Johannesburg - South Africa may be hit by a public sector strike soon if unions belonging to Cosatu vote in favour of industrial action.
The unions, including the National Educators and Health Allied Workers Union (Nehawu), the police union Popcru and the teachers’ union Sadtu, will conduct mass meetings in workplaces across the country to inform their members of government’s offer of 5.8 percent and the challenges labour has faced in this year’s negotiations.
Independent Media has reliably learnt that the unions would recommend a strike to their members, who last downed tools in 2010 and eventually settled with government on a 7.5-percent wage deal 20 days later.
Talks deadlocked last week, with the employer requesting that the parties enter into arbitration.
Unions have vowed they would stand their ground on their 10-percent wage hike demand.
There is also a dispute about the government’s housing allowance offer to workers, who demanded R3 000 initially, but have since dropped to R1 500. The state has offered them R1 100, a R200 increase from the current R900 being received by public servants.
Labour and government negotiators had committed themselves to wrapping up negotiations before the end of March. However, on Wednesday, as a new financial year begins, public servants who expected wage increases will have to wait until a settlement is reached in order to receive their adjustments, which would have to be backdated.
Workers who spoke to Independent Media said they were concerned about the delay of a new deal while their pockets were being hit by price increases such as petrol.
Labour has blamed the state for this, saying it has been dragging its feet since negotiations started. The department in charge of the talks - Public Service and Administration - lost its minister, Collins Chabane, who died in a car accident. This also affected the speed at which talks progressed.
Attempts to recoup lost time failed dismally as the parties in the bargaining council locked horns on several occasions. During one of their marathon talks, which lasted well into the early hours of the morning, union representatives even resorted to kicking government negotiators out of the chamber where negotiations were held.
There is serious mistrust between parties, with unions believing that the employer’s negotiators have not been honest in communicating the state’s mandate to them. However, this will be of little concern to workers who will now have to make a critical choice which will be criticised by many should they opt for industrial action. The country is under immense pressure to project a stable image in the face of economic downgrades by international ratings agencies.
The Public Service Association, which is part of the Independent Labour Caucus in the council, said it would not be going the strike route as not all avenues had been explored.
“In terms of the constitution of the bargaining council, parties can agree to have a mediation. PSA supports the mediation process. There’s no way of us seeking mandate for a strike, it would be premature,” said the organisation’s Mannie de Clerq.
The union believes that parties should meet all requirements of the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council and allow a third party to assist the process.
Cosatu unions will have a press conference later on Wednesday to reveal their plans.
Independent Labour Bureau