DURBAN – The KwaZulu-Natal National Education, Health, and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) participated in what it said was a peaceful wage protest on Tuesday on the streets of Pietermaritzburg.
Earlier in the week the national Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) issued an advisory of a planned picket by the union. It said the DPSA had received correspondence from the national office of Nehawu, indicating that it intended to embark on pickets at the offices of the DPSA, National Treasury and the offices of the Premier on August 24.
Ntokozo Nxumalo Nehawu regional organiser said, “The union participated in a National Day of Action in Defence of Collective Bargaining and Workers’ Rights at the Premier’s Office and also submitted a memorandum of demands to the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs in relation to the failure of the department to permanently employ contract workers, and the consistent horrendous treatment of our members.”
Senzo Mchunu, then DPSA Minister, last month, welcomed the conclusion of the collective agreement on wage increases in the public service.
The collective agreement was signed by the majority of labour unions, which included South African Democratic Teachers’ Union, National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa, Health & Other Services Personnel Trade Union of South Africa, Public Servants Association of South Africa and Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa.
During the negotiations, the government offered a 1.5% increase, while the unions demanded a consumer price index increase, which was projected at 3.1%, and a 4% across the board increase on the cost-of-living adjustment.
Eight unions represented 1.2 million state employees in national and provincial government departments.
Nehawu refused to sign the wage agreement which it said undermined collective bargaining principles.
THE MERCURY