Home Affairs strike suspended
A looming Home Affairs strike has been averted, for now.
It comes after an agreement was reached between the Public Servants Association (PSA), other minority unions and the Department of Home Affairs.
PSA general manager, Ivan Fredericks says a settlement agreement has been signed.
It relates to the new working hours which expect members to work on Saturdays without monetary compensation.
"We have come up with an amicable solution which means the strike is off. They've acknowledged what we've asked for is reasonable. We have signed an agreement that the department withdraws the circular forcing people to work," he confirms.
Home Affairs' application for an urgent interdict to stop the PSA from embarking on a national strike was struck of the roll by the Labour Court on Thursday 15 June.
Workers were expected to go on strike from Monday 19 June.
"The PSA represents about 75% of workers at Home Affairs and the strike would have seen a total shut down of Home Affairs offices across the country," Fredericks explains.
All parties have agreed to continue to engage in a process of negotiation on working hours.
The PSA is expected to further brief the media at the Public Service Bargaining Centre later this morning.