Protracted OSD wrangle finally resolved
Correctional Services National Commissioner, Mr. Zach Modise, has congratulated all role-players for finally resolving the protracted Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD) wrangle.
After a long period of intense deliberations, discussions and negotiations, the parties finally reached an agreement yesterday (Monday, 21 November 2016) when the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) and Organised Labour signed a final settlement on the OSD.
“We congratulate all role-players and thank the negotiators for their tireless efforts in reaching this historic agreement. The breaking of this deadlock would have also not been possible without the political will and determination of the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Adv. Michael Masutha," Modise said.
Three key elements of the settlement are the following:
- Clarification of Clause 11.1 of GPSSBC Resolution 2 of 2009 with regard to the number of years regarded as experience required for appointment on each salary level when recognition of experience is calculated.
- Translation of all qualifying officials to their correct OSD Second Phase notches will happen before 15 February 2017, effective from 1 October 2016.
- Back-pay of 30% of basic salary owed to qualifying officials, which accumulated between 1 April 2010 and 30 September 2016.
The back-payment will be staggered in four payments over four years, with the first payment being 17% to be paid before 31 March 2017, 6% before 31 March 2018, 4% before 31 March 2019 and 3% before 31 March 2020.
Officials who were promoted, changed occupations or moved to another salary dispensation between 1 April 2010 and 31 October 2016 will receive pro-rata back-payment. The agreement has been evaluated accordingly, and is within the allocated compensation budget for 2016/17 until the 2019/20 financial year.
Officials who are on personal notches, or who will reach personal notches because of the OSD Second Phase translation, will not be excluded. However, they shall be dealt with in terms of a separate dispensation. Once translated, the principle related to pay progression will apply.
The process to accommodate the translations of qualifying officials on personal notches, or qualifying officials who will reach personal notches as a result of the translations, shall be finalised on or before 30 June 2017.
“The negotiation teams of both DCS and labour must be commended for displaying a great sense of commitment and maturity to the negotiation process,” said Modise. Both the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) and the Public Servants Association of South Africa (PSA) expressed their gratitude for the manner in which DCS showed good faith in the negotiation and was always receptive to the solutions that they suggested.
With the negotiations finalised, Commissioner Modise has urged parties to now refocus their attention on the core mandate of DCS and contribute to maintaining and promoting a just, peaceful and safe society.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 644 4050
