PSA threatens strike action
The Public Servants Association
(PSA) says more that 200 000 public servants could down tools if government
continues to negotiate in bad faith.
The PSA’s Tahir Maepa says the association declared a dispute with government following the collapse of wage negotiations that started back in October 2017.
"This was due to the fact that the employers failed to meet the joint labour demands," Maepa says.
Maepa says workers’ demands include a 10% wage increase, delinking of spouses from housing allowance and medical aid.
"For about nine months we have been trying our level best to reason with the employers and to also demonstrate why it is important why the employers must heed our demand for living wage."
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Maepa says the government further complicated the negotiations when it decided to increase value-added tax by 1%.
"That in itself has put a burden on the shoulders of public servants in terms of affordability, basic necessities, food and housing.”
"Government has failed to improve the offer, with a hope that other unions will sign the deal on the table on Tuesday," Maepa says.
The association is calling on other labour unions to reject the drafted wage settlement agreement, as it believes the government will table a revised offer should other unions not sign by Tuesday.