Unions back Service Charter
Several trade unions confirmed their support for the public service charter launched by Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu on Thursday.
"We confirm our commitment; we are excited [about this]. As a collective we need to ensure that the charter is implemented," Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union national negotiator Polelo Ndala said. The charter was launched at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Johannesburg. Health and Other Service Personnel Trade Union of SA general secretary Noel Desfontaines called Sisulu brave. "We would like to congratulate the minister. We must all agree that public service is in bad shape at the moment. I don't think that it's news to anyone. She is very brave; we commit ourselves to assisting the minister," he said.
SA Policing Union deputy president Tumi Mogodiseng called for employers to pay special attention to article 6 of the charter titled "Commitments by the State as Employer". He said in some cases detectives were saddled with hundreds of dockets and not enough resources to do their work as best as they could. "We are appealing that this charter be maintained," he said. National Professional Teachers' Organisation of SA president Basil Manuel said three things were critical to the charter's success.
"Service standards will ensure we live up to what we've said. Political will to make it work even when it becomes unpleasant...And balancing the good with the bad." Public Servants Association general secretary Danny Adonis said the implementation of the charter was key. "Implementation is the key word in this. We as unions must make sure the employer keeps [its] word. This is not just a media briefing, we must make sure the public knows what's going on. Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA president Dorothy Matebeni and National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union president Mzwandile Makwayiba also confirmed their support. The charter calls for higher standards of public service by government workers to the public.
-Sapa