service strike
7 June 2007
1. Since the beginning of the negotiations process, government has moved
from its original offer of 5,3% to 6%; and just recently, based on the
technical document jointly prepared by nine representatives of government and
nine representatives of labour, government has again revised its pay offer to
6,5%. Organised labour has not done likewise thus far, despite their
unaffordable demands which will cost government approximately R200 billion a
year.
2. The original offer amounted to R9,3 billion a year. The revised offer now
under discussion amounts to R13,7 billion. That is a massive improvement of 47%
difference between the original offer and the revised one.
3. Government wishes to reiterate the call for public sector employees in
essential services, such as nurses, doctors, emergency service personnel and
correctional services employees, to desist from the ongoing industrial action.
Essential services employees are not supposed to involve themselves in any form
of industrial action; and, to this end, government has obtained a Labour Court
interdict prohibiting union leaders from inciting essential services workers to
embark on strike action.
4. Acts of intimidation by some striking public servants against colleagues
who wish to continue with work cannot be tolerated, and government will take
appropriate action against identified perpetrators. Strike action should not be
seen as a platform for infringing on other people's rights. Much as strikers
exercise their right to embark on industrial action, they should respect the
rights of those who choose to continue working.
5. We believe that the continuation of the strike undermines the ongoing
negotiations at the Public Sector Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC). We
have seen striking public servants returning to work, and there is a definite
decline in the numbers staying away. We urge those still striking to join those
of their colleagues who have started returning to their work stations as
government and labour continue to talk.
6. The narrow debate on percentages in the public discourse does not do any
justice to the comprehensive nature of the package that government is putting
forward. We would like to see more engagement on the package as a whole, as
this would confirm the reality that the package offers much more than the
proposed percentage in salary increments.
7. The offer includes:
* a general salary increase of 6,5% for the 2007/08 financial year, which
takes into account average projected CPIX for 2007/08 plus a real salary
increase
* a general salary increase of projected CPIX plus 0,5% for the 2008/09
financial year
* the implementation of revised salary structures (occupation specific
dispensation) for the following professions in this financial year:
- all categories of nurses with effect from 1 July 2007
- legally qualified professionals in Justice with effect from 1 July 2007
- School based educators and school principals with effect from 1 January 2008
and 1 July 2007, respectively.
* fast-tracking the implementation of the housing allowance to 1 July 2007,
i.e. increase the housing allowance for renters from R242 to R456 per
month
* a 25% adjustment to night shift, special and danger allowances
* the full implementation of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, where
government will pay 2x salary for work performed on Public Holiday and 1 � x
salary for work performed on Sunday as part of normal duty
* a medical subsidy increase from R1 900 to R2 020 for GEMS members.
Issued by: Ministry of Public Service and Administration
7 June 2007
