The South African Policing Union (SAPU) has expressed disappointment in the majority of public service unions who have signed the latest wage offer from the South African government.
This comes after a majority of public service unions signed the government's offer of 1.5% increase and monthly cash gratuity this week.
Public sector wage negotiations had been deadlocked for months, as unions were reluctant to agree to the wage increase offered by the government.
Most of the unions are affiliated to the Federation of Unions of SA, while some are affiliated to the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), excluding National Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) and the police union SAPU.
SAPU had threatened to go on strike but had been disappointed by the majority unions.
The general secretary of SAPU, Peter Ntsime, said the union was shocked that other unions had signed the offer leaving the minority of unions to accept the offer. More than 60% of unions had accepted the offer meaning the offer would apply to all public servants. The offer will be implemented from next month.
“The SAPU wants to voice its disappointment and despondence over the signed 1.5% pay progression with a cash bonus of R1 000 to public servants. SAPU as a revolutionary movement acknowledges and respects the rights of every union, however, this agreement has not only sold out our members, it clearly undermines the unity of workers. SAPU trusted that the majority of unions would not sign the unacceptable and that enough pressure by all unions on the employer would result in forcing the employer to revise its offer,” Ntsime said.
Ntsime said the union was shocked that the government could come up with a budget to distribute R350 to unemployed South Africans till March 2021 and offer business tax incentives but could not afford to properly pay public servants.
“SAPU is urging all public servants with affiliation to the unions that have signed the agreement to reconsider their involvement with these unions who are championing the cause of the employer. The economic challenges that the country is experiencing cannot justify denying a more acceptable and long-awaited increase for public servants especially in the current economic climate where many household necessities and other living costs experienced sharp increases,” Ntsime said.
Ntsime said there were several problems with the current offer. The union was also concerned the current offer would affect future negotiations putting workers at a disadvantage.
“This agreement does not increase the pensions of civil servants the 1.5 so called has long been negotiated for. The cash allowances which are R1 220 for employees on salary level 1 and R1 965 for salary level 12 with others varying in between are non-pensionable and taxable,” Ntsime said.
Nehawu also confirmed to The Star that they had not signed the offer but would allow democratic process to take place making way for the offer to be implemented based on the majority who accepted the offer.
The Star